A student union fee might be looming in the future if the Arizona Board of Regents approves a fee proposed by University of Arizona Dining Services.

The student union fee, which was proposed at the end of last semester as an alternative to the mandatory meal plan, would add $20 per student on to tuition to help support the student unions. The figure reflects the distribution of a $2,200 meal plan among the entire student population, rather than those living on campus.

Revenue generated from the fee would go to increase, expand and maintain services that the union provides, according to Dan Adams, director of the Student Union Memorial Center and Park Student Union.

"We have to look at the plan in thirds," Adams said. "A third of the revenue would go to increase the number of programs the student union offers, for example expanding late night and commuter activities, a third would go towards expanding what we currently offer, such as building another Highland Market location, and a third of the revenue would go towards maintenance and paying off some bonds."

Adams supports the student union fee over a mandatory meal plan because he said a fee would create more bottom line dollars for the student union to use.

Some campus groups are in support of the student union fee.

Erin Cohen, president of the Panhellenic Council, the governing body for sororities on campus, said there was a conflict of interest between Greek Life and Dining Services. She said if any tuition increase is instilled that they prefer it to be a fee rather than a meal plan.

"Many of our chapters offer meal plans, and the union wasn't willing to budge. We support the fee over the mandatory meal plan, because we are concerned that a mandatory meal plan would affect enrollment in the Greek system," said Cohen.

Cohen also pointed out that most other schools enforce a meal plan, and it seems like something that the UA should do too.

The University of Arizona is the only Pacific 10 school that does not have a mandatory meal plan or a student union fee. The Arizona Board of Regents recently approved the mandate at Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University for a mandatory meal plan.

While some student leaders support the plan, others, like Cade Bernsen, president of Associated Students of the University of Arizona, are skeptical of whether implementing any fee is necessary.

"Students cannot give the student union a blank check. If there is to be a fee the union must implement services that students want, such as healthier eating options and a parental resource center," said Bernsen.

Bernsen has not decided whether he supports the student union fee, because the specifics of the plan have not been laid out, but he said he would not support anything that will require the students to pay more and get the same product.