When it comes to voting for anything on campus, I usually don’t give two fucks. I vote for the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union executive, yes, but I could hardly care less who wins or loses.

However, I was ecstatic when I heard about the spring and summer U-Pass referendum. This was a vote in which I really wanted to participate and I’m not at all surprised that students actually took the time to vote in favour of this motion.

In fact, more students voted for this referendum than did for the USSU executive. Interesting.

Typically, I don’t take five classes during each term in the fall and winter sessions. I’m not a keener, and frankly, I have other priorities.

As a result, I’ve taken summer classes during every year of my undergrad in order to catch up on credits. For some reason I really want to get my B.A. done in four years, even though I don’t have a clue what I’m going to do with my life.

In the fall and winter months, I only take the bus. It’s cheaper and better for the environment than driving, so it’s win-win. Also, parking tickets are never fun — especially since the city upped the ante to $20 a ticket. Yikes. I can’t afford that shit. I’m a student!

So, in the past years I’ve taken to biking in the spring and summer sessions due to a lack of bus pass, which I was happy to do. I like exercise. I want a toned ass and muscular legs.

I even bought a wicked bike basket, which is superbly handy for preventing a sweaty back.

But it tends to rain in Saskatchewan. It sometimes gets cold in the summer too, and neither conditions are fun to bike in.

In the past three years there have been many days when I wanted or needed a summer bus pass because alternative means of transportation to and from school simply weren’t feasible.

Never again will I have to pay hundreds of dollars in parking tickets, or ride through the rain with my artwork for printmaking in danger, because the spring and summer U-Pass has solved these issues.

Additionally, offering a bus pass to students might encourage them to take the bus to events where drinking may be involved.

Saskatoon is a bumpin’ place in the summertime, and there are numerous events to which I’d love to take the bus. No longer will I have to find a parking spot, pay through the roof for gas, and organize a safe ride home.

Truly, this spring and summer U-Pass is nothing but awesome.

On that note, I can’t figure out why 405 people voted against the U-Pass. Do you have something against economical forms of transportation? Did you just feel like being different and lacked an alternative space to properly express yourself?

Just kidding. We’re all entitled to our opinions. I’m sure some people have legitimate reasons.

Regardless, I look forward to taking advantage of the extended U-Pass.

Thanks USSU executive, students and everybody else who made this happen.

High-fives for everyone!

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Illustration: Samantha Braun/The Sheaf