Members of the Student Association executive met with the University's executive vice president and treasurer on Wednesday to propose changes to mandatory spending and student fund carry-overs at GW's main eatery.

SA President Nicole Capp and Executive Vice President Brand Kroeger told Lou Katz they want freshman mandatory spending for J Street to be reduced from $1,400 to $1,000, and the ability for freshmen and sophomores to carry over unspent funds until graduation.

"The proposal was the result of intense discussion over break with students," said Capp, a junior.

In an interview earlier this week, Katz said the University would look into any dining proposal by the SA.

"If they come up with a proposition that actually makes sense, we're going to seriously consider it," he said.

Katz said that there are no discussions with Sodexho, the company contracted to run J Street, to adjust mandatory spending or fund carry-over policies.

Sodexho developed the mandatory spending plan and GW supported it to encourage community. Another less ideal option, Katz said, would be to limit the number of off-campus partners - something he said the University would like to avoid.

"We're trying to create flexibility and a sense of community at the institution," Katz said.

Freshmen and sophomores must spend $1,400 and $500 at J Street per year, respectively. At this time, freshmen and sophomores are unable to carry over any unspent J Street funds to their next year at the University.

"It is my hope spending limits will be done away with, but it won't be easy," said Kroeger, a junior.

Capp and Kroeger have met with Katz and other SA members throughout the past several weeks to discuss mandatory spending. Capp said, "Dining is never going to be a dead issue."

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