They have until September 15 2018 to convince them. UCSD isn't just any D2 school. In every way but athletics their profile is VERY D1. Top notch campus, academics, research, etc. I spent some time on campus last fall. They should be D1, and they should be Big West. To the typical student, they had no reason to think the Big West *wouldn't* accept them, they're a natural. Maybe it will take combining their invitation with one for CSUB, who proved themselves competitive this past season in men's basketball.

Should they not succeed by the deadline, they can do another referendum. This time the student body will have been so close to D1 they could taste it, and disappointed. It will be easier to pass a broader and more realistic referendum that allows them any path to D1.