RGA to Hold Run-Off Election; Suspends 50% Vote Requirement

The Radcliffe Government Association decided yesterday that next week's run-off referendum to select a new governing body will be binding even if less than 50 per cent of Radcliffe votes.

Fifty-three per cent of the College voted in a referendum, held this week, which resulted in the abolishment of RGA.

RGA will dissolve as soon as a new government is set up, but since neither of the two alternative student government proposals received a majority vote, a run-off referendum is necessary.

The RGA decision resulted from fears that a second referendum could not arouse the 50 per cent vote required by RGA rules to validate a referendum.

The referendum will decide between the Radcliffe Undergraduate Association--an organization which would be bound by the decisions of the College Council, Radcliffe's highest governing body--and the more autonomous Radcliffe Union of Students. The RUS would not be subject to any higher authority and would attempt to place two student representatives on the College Council.

RGA suspended the 50 per cent rule because of the apathetic reaction to the first referendum. The common reaction from those asked to vote was "blah," one RGA member said. "I saw many people tearing up the ballot," she continued.

Confrontation

In discussing the run-off between RUA and RUS, Lucy M. Candib '68 said that the major consideration in choosing between the two should be "whether or not you are for confrontation politics with the administration."

RUS might provide that confrontation, since it is doubtful that the College Council would accept RUS representatives in its membership.

January Election

RGA also discussed matters pertaining to the printing of the ballot for the run-off referendum, including the color of the paper to be used.

Elections for the new legislature will take place sometime in January.