Vanderbilt Student Government successfully changed the student activities fee distribution process with a unanimous vote on Oct. 17.
The AcFee distribution process, run by the Student Finance Committee, distributes $1.3 million in student activities fees to organizations every spring.
The proposal also expedites the process and increases transparency, said junior Jared Anderson, speaker of the VSG senate.
Junior Ben Quigley said transparency was his main concern.
"As long as there's accountability and transparency, the process is good," Quigley said.
"The resolution and the added amendments make the whole process fair and less mysterious," said Speaker of the House Reid Simon. "This way, less people will complain about the funds distributed."
Additionally, "this resolution just sets up a structure in the statute and can be amended whenever need be in the future," he said.
The new system also shortens the allocation process to one week and splits the finance committee into subcommittees of 10 people, each with two co-chairs.
Previously, the Student Finance Committee as a whole interviewed all student organizations. This spring, each subcommittee - programming, service, cultural interests, special interests and arts - will interview only those organizations that fall under its umbrella.
The increased number of people allows for more students to take part in the process. Two of the 10 positions on each subcommittee are open to students at large. The finance committee still will be composed of students, graduate students and faculty.
Sophomore Bicky Nguyen said she approved of the changes.
"The main thing I like about this proposal is that it allows more students to get involved with the money they get for their own activities," she said.
Amendments to the resolution by the VSG House and Senate include a cap on the contingency fund at about 1 percent of the total and having more at-large students as co-chairs. The original proposal had limited nine of 10 co-chair positions to graduate students, faculty and VSG house presidents.
"I think this process is a good improvement because this way money will be allocated evenly and fairly," said freshman Siri Kadire. "The old process just seems really long and tedious."
Anderson said he does not foresee any future opposition to the new resolution and believes that the new process will provide more flexibility for organizations.
"I'm overjoyed the resolution passed," he said. "I think the positive changes will produce positive effects."