Supporting the retention and success of all students is one of UCLA’s most important responsibilities.

But that task should rest on UCLA administration – not on students already paying thousands of dollars in tuition and fees.

The Student Success Referendum proposes a $55 fee increase for students per quarter. Revenue would go towards funding various student support and resource centers, including the LatinX Success Center, Academic Advancement Program and the Transfer Student Center.

The Board strongly supports the missions of these student centers. But the Student Success Referendum is a flawed way to fund them.

The referendum specifies several times that it is designed to complement, rather than replace, UCLA funding. However, passing a fee increase shows UCLA administration they can cut essential student programs indiscriminately, and that students will pick up the slack.

This is not a precedent we should establish.

It is reasonable to wonder if UCLA – who has already significantly reduced funding for student resources – will use the referendum revenue as an excuse to make further devastating cuts.

It is also hard to overlook the hefty $55-per-quarter price tag. Students should be confident that their money will be responsibly spent. But the history of mass financial mismanagement by UCLA admin, as well as the unspecific language of the referendum text, fail to establish this baseline level of confidence.

Ensuring support for students doesn’t come from passing a student fee increase. It comes from the UCLA administration delivering on their promises to the student body.