The Undergraduate Student Government passed a resolution last night recommending the University to allow payment of student tuition bills in three installments rather than one at the beginning of a semester.

"Tuition is a great sum of money -- especially out of state," said town Senator Don Bowman, one of the bill sponsors. "This will be beneficial, especially for spring semester when students don't have the time to work for three months to save the money."

If the University supports the resolution, students can pay one-third of their tuition when the bills are mailed, and the last day of the fifth and ninth weeks of the semester, Bowman said.

"It's probably about as progressive as we can get away with the administration," said East Halls Senator Sean Wilson. "It's good, because instead of putting down three thousand dollars at once, I can put one (thousand) down and work for more."

In other business, the senate passed a bill appropriating funds for the purchase of a safe.

Senate President Ron Marlow, a sponsor of the bill, said a safe is necessary because of past thefts.

"We have locks. Obviously those don't do the job," he said. "We need something that is strong so a heavy tool can't be used to break it open."

Most senators agreed that a safe is essential to making sure that future thefts do not occur.

"In a society where there are people that can't be trusted, we must protect ourselves," said Pollock Halls Senator Tim Spila. "A safe is protection."

The senate closed the meeting twice to discuss Senate Vice President J. David James, Marlow said.

James is facing charges in a preliminary hearing today that he took more than $500 in cash and checks from the USG office in December.

Senators would not comment on if James would be suspended or impeached.

Marlow said a statement will be released tomorrow.