It had been over two months since SGA last met when the meeting was called to order Monday, Jan. 25, and they had a lot on the agenda.

One of the key topics of discussion was a piece of legislation that SGA members have been working on since the fall semester.

They called the legislation the Tax And Recycling Program. The name is going to change for obvious reasons.

SGA president Josh Todd and the other members of SGA were looking for a way to positively impact the student body, and they feel that this is exactly what MWSU needs for the future.

According to several members of SGA, recycling is something students continually ask for. This is only part of what SGA is planning to accomplish. The bill to be placed on the ballot for students to vote on will have an impressive impact, if it passes.

The technology fee currently does not cover the cost of maintaining existing equipment; reserve funds are being used at present to cover these costs.

“Our computing fee right now is about four dollars, other schools average about $11 or more to maintain what they have,” said Todd.

Jeremy Howell, a sophomore majoring in computer electronics and technology, is happy about the potential increase in technology spending.

“I’m in the technology field, so if we don’t continue to upgrade we’re going to fall way behind,” said Howell.

Howell went on to say that he would definitely vote for bill even though he would help to foot the bill.

“If we don’t get funds for this academic computing committee, they’re going to be in the red in a couple of years,” Todd said. “They’re already operating into their reserves and they still don’t have funds, and the campus is expanding with Remington we have new computers, we have new labs, so we don’t have anymore money to maintain what we have, so we needed to do something quick.”

Jenna Wise, a junior majoring in biology, was pleased to hear that if the technology and recycling program is voted in, printing would continue as usual. “If it’s not going to put a damper on printing, and it’s just going to keep our things in top working condition, I think it’s worth it,” Wise said. “It just seems like it’s not that much of a cost to keep up.”

The total projected costs to students will be a $7.50 per credit hour fee charged on the first 12 credit hours, with no additional cost beyond that. The fee increase will be broken down into three components: $2.50 will be collected to maintain computer labs, pay lab staff, printing supplies (50 cents of that fee will be allocated to recycling); $2.00 will be allocated to maintaining classroom presentation equipment; and $3.00 will be allocated to a potential discretionary fund.

The initial plan for the discretionary fee was making MWSU a completely wireless campus (no hotspots); however, it was brought to SGA’s attention of a potential to renovate the basement in Blum. This space would most likely be used to add to the student union experience by providing actual recreation space.

SGA met late into the night on Jan. 28 discussing last minute changes that would need to be made to bill before the vote to approve it Monday.