Students may see an increase in student insurance fees and also an increase in services by next semester.The current contract that Nicholls has with Clarendon Insurance will terminate by the end of this semester.

The Student Government Association Senate is considering new services to be offered to students when a new contract is decided on for next semester.

“We need to decide if we are going back with the same company and making changes, or going with someone totally different,” Natasha Busch, SGA senator-at-large and Insurance Committee chair, said.

The SGA Insurance Committee intends to negotiate a plan that will offer students the same base plan that is already offered, plus several additions. Possible added services include a representative on campus once a week, a prescription drug card with increased benefits and coverage for STD testing.

“I think it will be beneficial, because many students have loans and scholarships that cover assessed fees,” Busch said, “whereas they do not have money throughout the year to come up with $300 to buy medication.”

The Insurance Committee decided to explore additional options after circulating a questionnaire to students earlier this semester.

“Most students are aware that we have insurance,” Busch said. “And the people that do use it said they were not satisfied. That is why we want to make these changes.”

The insurance fee, which is currently $30, will increase next semester, even if new services are not added, according to Busch, because the contract is finished.

“We know it is going to increase anyway,” Busch said. “But we want to make sure we get these additions without it increasing drastically.”

The Insurance Committee should be receiving proposals from various companies by the end of the semester and will choose the plan best suited for Nicholls students.

“When the prices come back we will be able to look at them and see what we can get for what price,” Busch said. “I am trying to find the medium.”

Anyone with questions concerning the current or future student insurance plan can contact the SGA office.