In an attempt to further explain what Associated Students of Madison and all its committees accomplish throughout the year, a Student Services Fair was held on Library Mall Wednesday.

Nearly all student organizations receiving general student service funds were represented at the event, including Students for Sustainable Agriculture, Engineering Without Borders and UW's student radio WSUM.

ASM Student Services Finance Committee Chair Alex Gallagher said this semester, every student paid $455 in segregated fees — which is included in tuition bills — most of which goes to fund services including University Health Services, Memorial Union and student bus passes.

Gallagher noted that despite funding many of these services and organizations with their segregated fees, he feels many students are unaware of how the organizations operate or get funded.

As a branch of ASM, SSFC is a committee that has the ability to supply funding for these services. Groups seeking funds must meet a set of criteria and then present their goals to SSFC.

Christine Harbin, who has served two terms on SSFC, said the committee is "moving in a good direction."

"I think the committee is doing a really good job [in] defining a service, and I think this is an important emphasis," Harban said.

SSFC leaders said this year they are trying to spread knowledge of the committee's actions , as a strong majority of students at UW are not even aware that SSFC is involved in budgeting a portion of their tuition money.

UW freshman Brian Fox is an example of one of the many students at UW who are unaware of the how ASM functions.

Before a brief explanation of all that ASM and SSFC are accountable for, he did not know how the funding for many student organizations was granted.

After receiving the basic explanation, Fox said, "I think it's good stuff."

Gallagher said a goal for the committee this year is to "have students more aware of the services they are funded."

By holding the fair, Gallagher said, he hoped to spread student organization awareness around campus.

"By putting on a fair like this, [students] can come and see what they are actually paying for and the services that they should be able to receive," Gallagher said.

The fair, like the Student Organizations Fair held last month, showcased an assortment of student organizations on campus.

The difference between the two was that at the Student Service Fair, clubs and organizations were all receiving funding from the SSFC with the goal of increasing awareness of not only the programs themselves, but also how they are funded.

Gallagher said he and SSFC hope to further knowledge of ASM and SSFC for the remainder of the school year.

"Students pay a significant sum in segregated fees, and so they should be able to take advantage of the services they are paying for," Gallagher said.