In Monday night’s Student Government Association Meeting, the student body voted to increase the Student Activity Fee by $10 a semester.  Of the 1,093 students who voted on the referendum, 758 voted to pass the increase and 335 voted against.

“I definitely think that a raise on the student activity fee will be of great benefit to all students, it will allow [finance committee] to be more lenient with what we decide to recommend to senate, while still following the funding guidelines,” said John Cook School of Business Senator and Finance Committee member Piera Blandon.

The referendum was put on the ballot this year in light of an increase in Chartered Student Organizations in the past few years. Since the activity fee was last increased in 2004, the number of CSOs on Saint Louis University’s campus has nearly doubled, with several groups still on probation waiting to be Chartered.

“I’m in support of the increase, especially when hearing the statistic that the number of CSOs has doubled since the fee last increased,” said incoming Alpha Phi Omega President Shannon Russel. “And it will especially help new CSOs trying to start up because they don’t have the capabilities to get started without the help from SGA.”

Current president of SLU-TV David Koeller agreed, stating the increased fee will allow CSOs to get the funding they deserve.

“Some CSO’s were getting their budgets cut much more than they would like with the money that was available so think this will go a long way to help remedy some of those issues and help some new groups maybe get off the ground,” Koeller said.

With annual funding budgets due on March 5 for all CSOs, student groups will begin the process of requesting funds from the Student Activity Fee to fund not only general operation costs, but also speakers, performers and travel costs.

“I highly encourage CSOs to take advantage of the resources that are available to them,” Blandon said. “Funding buddies are a great asset for this. We are well-educated on every single guideline and we can help CSOs get as much funds as they require.”

After Finance Committee reviews each CSO’s requested budget, they will decide what funds should be allocated to each student group based on the SGA annual funding guidelines.

Groups are required to meet with the Committee at the end of March and funding appeals will take place after Easter Break beginning April 14.

With the passing of the referendum, the Student Activity Fee will generate approximately $900,000 in funds which can be allocated to student groups, about $180,000 more than would be available if the referendum had not passed.

“I am happy to see students voices were heard on this campus,” SGA president, Matt Ryan said. “I hope that this increase will create more opportunity and engagement for SLU students.”