The debate over how to allocate student fees to organizations has caused the issue to be examined again, this time by the highest court in the country.

On March 29, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a case from the University of Wisconsin deciding whether public universities can use mandatory student activity fees to subsidize campus groups that pursue political goals, according to an article by the Associated Press.

Some universities would like to switch to a check-off system in which students could choose which groups they would like to see their money go toward.

Government of the Student Body Vice President Jamal White said he likes the current student fees system at Iowa State, where the GSB senate allocates the money to various groups through an application process.

“I think the present system that we have makes it easy for groups who might find it difficult to receive funding under other circumstances,” White said. “I can understand also the arguments of people who don’t like it and would prefer a system where students decide where their money goes to.”

Some executive candidates in the March GSB elections supported a check-off system. However, GSB President-elect Matt Craft said at this time he doesn’t expect anything to change.

“We are not planning on implementing any changes until we hear from the court,” he said. “If the Supreme Court tells us to change the system, we’ll change it — it all depends on what the court says.”

White said the Supreme Court’s decision will play a big role for liability reasons because of the precedent the case could set.

“It’s an important case in general for colleges across the nation, including this one,” he said.

Craft said there seems to be growing concern about the possibility of a check-off system at ISU.

“I think there are a lot of student groups that are concerned that their funding levels won’t be where they feel it should be if a check-off system is implemented because they are not one of the more popular groups on campus,” he said.

Craft said although he likes the current system, he believes students could make responsible decisions regarding funding.

“Students have that opportunity every time they go to vote or make a decision. It would be like everything else,” he said. “I think the clear majority of people would go in with the knowledge of exactly what they want the fees directed at.”

Craft said he feels strong arguments can be made on both sides of the issue, and that is why the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to examine it.

“Once you pay your tuition, your student fees are no longer your money, and it’s now the state’s money,” he said. “On the other hand, if those are your student fees, and that’s your money, why shouldn’t you have a say? Why should you have to fund groups you are opposed to?”