The Student Government Association is looking to pass a measure that would give five students $200 each to offset the cost of the newly required commuter meal plan for the 2010-2011 academic year.SGA had originally planned on giving $200 to 10 students by passing S.B. 17: Hilltopper Community Relief Act in the April 8 senate meeting, but Director of Student Life Tom Sullivan advised SGA to use money from a different account towards the scholarships. “We are in a process of transitioning it from the primary account to the endowment fund we set up,” Vice President Intergovernmental Affairs Chris Duke said. Duke authored the bill, and junior Executive Senator Mimi Valladarez and Behavioral and Social Sciences Senator Eric Bustos sponsored the legislation.  “It is paramount that SGA continues to highlight the ongoing commuter meal plan fiasco by providing immediate relief to students disproportionately affected by this non-industry standard mandate, and by other polices that continue nickel and dime students,” Duke said. In addition to the commuter meal plan, students will be unable to purchase entrée items in Texenza after Auxiliary Services Director Mike Stone asked the coffee shop to hold the line on expansion to food items like pizza and pancakes. “They were becoming too much like a deli,” Stone said. “We want them to focus on what they do best.” Duke said that SGA received an invitation from the administration to discuss the commuter meal plan. “[SGA] of course will be open to negotiations to come up with a common sense approach and we appreciate the extended hand,” Duke said. Applications are currently available and will be taken through April 23 from traditional commuter undergraduate students who feel they have an extraordinary financial circumstance. So far, three people have e-mailed Duke showing interest. “After we heard and read people’s stories and how it was directly affecting them, we had to help,” Valladarez said. Currently, SGA is in talks with Constantine on how best to offer the students the $200. Valladarez initially had the idea and wanted to take the remaining budget and apply it to all students, but she said she realized that the difference made was insignificant. Valladarez said she was then approached by Bustos, who said that the relief should be given out as a scholarship. “While we were unable to help all students affected, my hope is that the Hilltopper Commuter Relief Act of 2010 will help those student that are struggling the most,” said Bustos. SGA considered giving students Visa gift cards, but the organization believed there was too much liability with allowing students complete freedom in spending the money.The plan that was proposed in the legislation that passed on April 8 is to give students the amount in Topper Tender. However, providing the $200 from the endowment fund would allow SGA to directly offset the commuter meal plan by applying the $200 directly to the student account. Duke said that this is in line with the organization’s previous stance on the imposition of fees on students. “SGA has firmly come down on opposing fees in the past three years,” Duke said, “The commuter meal plan was the last straw.” Applications will be available in the SGA office.