By: Jesutomiwo Adebumowa
In light of the SRC’s resolution on April 5th 2025, instructing the Council of Hall Chairpersons and Council of Faculty Presidents to create a Google form to assess students’ opinion on the basic due increment proposal, some hall Chairpersons and faculty presidents have in their forms, tried to sway students to make choices favourable to the basic dues increment.
In these forms that are meant to be neutral, simple questions like “Do you want an increase in basic dues?” that should be asked so students can give a yes or no answer have been substituted for loaded questions with suggestions that can make students swayed into what may or may not be the best for them.
For example, in the form sent by the Hall Executives of the Mellanby hall, questions like “Greatest Mellanbite, would you like to see significant enhancement in our general welfare of our beloved hall?” and adds “We envision a hall frequent with DStv subscription for endless entertainment, improved sporting activities to unleash your competitive spirit…” and then they ask students to pick “yes or no”.
Meanwhile, the form sent by the executives of Basic Medical Students has framed what should otherwise be a simple question to in a way that could be perceived as trying to sway the students.
“Do you think there should be an increment in the basic dues, taking into perspective the allocation of the basic dues ‘as listed’ and how the leadership…are finding it hard to organise standard events and programs due to the rising inflation”
These forms are examples of how some hall Chairpersons and faculty presidents have tried manipulating students into voting for an increment in the basic dues when they should be representing the students decisions.
