Andrew Huse, Senior Staff Photographer

San Diego State students just entered the development business.

And at SDSU, that can be risky business.

Three-quarters of voters however, said “yes” to a student-union rebuild last Friday, providing SDSU students with the opportunity to defeat the status quo of development dillemas and direct the fate of their own $44 million project.

The positive vote on the referendum must now be assessed by the Campus Fee Advisory Committee and be given final approval by University President Stephen Weber later this week.

SDSU Director of Media Relations Jason Foster said he had not heard whether Weber would approve the referendum, but A.S. President Chris Manigault said he was confident the fee increase would receive the president’s blessing.

“I personally believe he will (approve the fee increase),” Manigault said. “I talked to him over (Spring) Break and he was congratulating myself for the passing of the referendum and saying how great it is going to be.”

If authorized by Weber, student fees will increase $11 per semester starting in the fall and $45 more when construction of the new center is complete in 2010. Plans for the facility are still vague, but A.S. has promised it will include more restaurants, a computer lounge, a larger movie theater, bar and a satellite Aztec Recreation Center.

Voter turnout was lower than expected by some A.S. representatives, with only 2,512 students participating in the referendum. However, because no minimum number of students who had to take part in the vote was set, the results will stand.

Manigault said he felt “ecstatic,” about the referendum passing, but said that his job was to try and incorporate the 24.8 percent who voted “no” into the planning process. He said he plans to send out a personal e-mail urging all students interested to take part in a planning committee.

“I don’t see it as a defeat,” Manigault said. “But, I mean, there’s a reason why (more than) 600 students didn’t vote for it.”

Manigault said he is hoping the students who voted “no” because they disagreed with certain aspects of the plan can explain why and ultimately get on board with the project.

A.S. Vice President of Finance Matt Keipper said he thought most people who voted against the referendum did so because they would graduate before the completion of the new center.

“Frankly, I would say to them that they should look at the students before them who paid for the Cox Arena,” Keipper said. “They paid for it and never saw it, but I’m guessing you’ve seen a basketball game and have benefited from it.”

The referendum was approved by every A.S. executive and group represented in A.S. council with the exception of the student organization Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano/a de Aztl