After campaigning by the Student Government Association of the University of Georgia, a student board will now allocate  more than $1.8 million in student activity fees. Previously, an all staff board had made allocation decisions.
 
Starting in spring 2010, a student committee composed of 5  SGA senators, one graduate student and four students from programs within the Department of Student Affairs will make decisions on student activity fee allocations to about 50 different student groups, from the University Union to the Black Affairs Council. 
 
The SGA began working with the Student Affairs office in May to determine how they could transfer the allocation authority. A final proposal was submitted and approved Oct. 26 by Rodney Bennett, Vice President for Student Affairs.

SGA President Katie Barlow said bringing this power into the hands of the students was a main reason behind her campaign for president. "Our original thought was that SGA, elected by students, should actively participate in how students' money is used," Barlow said. Vice President Cameron Secord and Treasurer Joe Chaudoin also featured the issues as part of their campaigns.
 
The new process will be evaluated in spring by both the SGA and Bennett to determine whether future SGA administrations will be able to handle allocating large amounts of student money.
 
Bennett said that he thinks the transition will improve the campus community. "My hope and what convinced me to do this…was the belief that it'll create greater involvement with students on campus," he said.


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