What is the purpose of a referendum?
A campus-wide referendum shall advise the Yale administration on a specific issue or policy based on the will of the undergraduate community. A referendum shall be held if a simple majority (½) of the Senate votes to hold one. The Yale College Council may also hold a referendum upon the petition of a Student Action Group (SAG) on a specific issue concerning the student body. Student Action Groups refer to an association of undergraduate students, whether informal or part of a registered student organization, who advocate for a referendum.
How to petition a referendum?
A referendum will be approved after a petition is successfully completed, presented to the YCC, and approved by a majority of Senators. A petition will win the right to a
referendum if it:
Has been submitted to the YCC within two months of its registration. A SAG may register a petition by submitting a written intent to petition and a proposed resolution to the YCC President. A petition must be registered by a SAG prior to obtaining signatures or canvassing. If two months elapse and the completed petition has not been submitted to the YCC, the petition shall be considered invalid.
Contains the signatures of 10% of Yale undergraduates who knowingly consent to the sentiment of the proposed referendum.
Wins a simple majority (1/2) vote of approval from the Senate. If the petition does not win said vote, the Senate will be said to have vetoed it, by default. This veto may be overturned with a secondary petition containing the signatures of 20% of Yale undergraduates. It is not necessary to obtain the original signatures for a second time.
How are referenda administered?
If a petition wins the right to a referendum, a referendum shall be administered over a well-advertised 96-hour window. The Communications Director shall administer the referendum via online voting and provide voters with statements advocating each side of the issue at hand. The referendum shall become binding to the YCC if (a) 50% or more of respondents vote yes, and (b) the total number of students who voted yes amounts to at least a third (1/3) of the undergraduate student body. Students who choose to abstain from the voting process shall be considered part of the student body that voted; by abstaining, they do acknowledge their presence by adding to the quorum but their vote is not held for or against the measure.
What does the YCC do if a referendum becomes binding?
If the referendum becomes binding to the YCC, the YCC shall be required to send an official letter to the President of Yale University expressing the sentiments of the student body. In said letter, the YCC President shall request an official response from the Yale University President’s Office. If the referendum does not meet the aforementioned requirements, no further action shall be required of the YCC.
What are the campaign restrictions?
Students may report instances of coercion to the Communications Director. It will be the Communication Director’s responsibility to investigate the SAG for illegitimate petitioning practices if one or more reports are filed. The Communications Director, with the approval of a simple majority (1/2) of the Senate, shall void a petition and/or referendum if they find ample evidence of coercion.