The student body will get their say Feb. 7 through Feb. 9. in an online referendum where they can cast their vote. Students will be encouraged to choose whether they’d prefer UNA to stay Division II, or move to a Division I school.

“The question has been out there for 15, 16 years,” said Athletic Director Mark Linder, regarding the question of whether or not to move up a division. “But there are a lot of moving parts to this decision.”

The decision for UNA to go to Division I doesn’t just impact sports on campus; it affects the entire student body. After all, the money has to come from somewhere and the perks that surround D-I aren’t free.

If there’s an invitation from a Division I conference, the university will have to make the decision to switch over or remain a D-II school-a decision, Linder said, that is monumental.

“My concern is that people cast a vote uneducated,” Linder said.

After all, Linder raises a valid concern. Last fall an open forum allowed students to raise questions and get answers surrounding the possible switch to a D-I school. Linder said only about 45 people showed up. SGA President Cory Hamilton is hoping at least 2,000 students will cast their votes next month.

“The more students that vote, the better. It is imperative that we have a high voter turnout, so the UNA Board of Trustees will know how students feel about the situation,” said Hamilton. “I urge students to take less than five minutes out of their day and vote.”

If the school does make the switch, those who are students now will most likely no longer be at UNA to see the changes implemented. Nonetheless, if you’re a freshman or a senior, Linder said, your vote is important to the school.

“Even though they might never see the championship one way or the other, it has to be about a greater purpose,” Linder urged the student body. “I think it’s their responsibility.”

Once the poll is completed, Hamilton will take the results to the UNA Board of Trustees Ad Hoc Committee, established to research the situation and get feedback from all UNA stakeholders.

“The Ad Hoc Committee will then report their findings to the full board with a recommendation,” Hamilton said.

Mark Linder has made information available to the public on the UNA homepage. Anyone can view the research, data and numbers that argue for both sides of the spectrum.

“It is important to be well read and knowledgeable on the issue because students are not only deciding on the issue for themselves, but they are deciding for future students who don’t even attend UNA yet,” said Hamilton. “I encourage students to ask questions and seek answers.”