Student Government may increase transportation fees for students and add a possible tobacco ban on campus following a mandatory smoke-free policy instituted by the state that begins in fall 2014. 
SG Senate will decide at its meeting today if it wants to increase the Mass Transit Student Fee. This fee pays for the transportation systems on the University campus, such as Tiger Trails and Campus Transit.
The University bus system contract renews every five years and is up for renewal this year. According to SG President John Woodard, the current fee would provide less service to the students because of increasing costs from inflation.  
“To keep the same number of buses, we would have to increase the fee to $13,” said SG Vice President Taylor Parks. “If we wanted to add an additional bus, then the student body would have to pay at least $20.”
Woodard said he wants to make sure there is enough transportation for the increasing student body, but he also wants to ensure the quality of service if the fee rises.
“I’m not a proponent of increasing student fees if there’s not going to be a tangible and noticeable difference in the bus service,” Woodard said.
Two surveys were sent out last year to see how much students would be willing to pay for transportation.
The survey results revealed students would be willing to pay a maximum fee increase of $18.53. 
“It’s important to look long term to see if students complain about the bus system or find it limited,” Parks said. 
The possibility of a tobacco ban on campus will also be discussed at the meeting today. By law, the campus will be smoke free starting August 2014, but the question of whether or not all forms of tobacco will be banned is the Senate’s decision.
The new smoking policy along with the possible tobacco ban has angered many students on campus, including mechanical engineering freshman Greg Rider. 
“I’m not a big smoker, but I’m upset that the option is being taken away from me if I wanted to,” Rider said.
Parks said if students continue to smoke during August, there will be a peer enforcement program to hold students accountable for breaking the rules.
“I think the peer enforcement program will be effective,” Parks said. “A fine for students who smoke on campus may be a big jump. Some students might not know about the rule right away.”
Students took an SG survey in November and December that asked their opinions on the new smoking rule and possible tobacco ban.
“From the results, it seemed as though students were unaware of the no-smoking policy on campus taking place next fall,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Trey Schwartzenburg. “I want students to be aware that this new rule is a state mandated law.”
One question in the survey asked if students would support a tobacco ban, with 60 percent of the survey pool against the ban.
“We are anticipating that we are not going to be tobacco free, based on the survey results,” Schwartzenburg said.