Undergraduate Student Government President Ryan Fournier vetoed a bill Sunday that would establish a 24-hour medical advice hotline for students.

The bill was passed at Wednesday’s USG meeting by a 21-15 vote and would use $36,000 in student activity fees to go toward a student health line. Fournier said the hotline is too expensive and there isn’t evidence that it works at other universities.

“I’ve been sitting down with people close to me, and from those recommendations and e-mails from both senators and students along with the monetary value of the project, I decided to go ahead and veto it,” Fournier said.

This is the first time a USG president has successfully used veto power since 2001, when President Robert “B.J.” Schuerger vetoed a bill that would have given the senate control of executive stipends.

The proposed student health line would be free to all Ohio State students. Medical staff from CareAllies, a Philadelphia-based insurance company, would provide advice to students, said USG Sen. Jerry Dunleavy.

“Health, safety and wellness are some of the biggest concerns for students at this university and this is an excellent tool to help them make smart and healthy decisions,” Dunleavy said.

But USG Sen. Pete Steele said there isn’t sufficient research on how students felt about the project.

“You spend $500 on a survey and you go and see if there is a need for a health line and if people will use it,” he said.

In a letter to USG senators, Rich Hollingsworth, vice president of Student Affairs, said he would give $20,000 from his discretionary fund to reduce the cost from $56,000 for this year. Hollingsworth was unable to promise the money for next year, which could leave USG to foot the entire bill.

Senators will be able to discuss the issue at this week’s Wednesday meeting, and have the opportunity to override the veto with a two-thirds vote, Fournier said.

He said if more evidence of the program’s success was shown and more questions about the cost could be answered he may support such an initiative in the future.

“Hopefully, this shows students that USG isn’t an organization that just throws money around but has serious checks and balances,” he said.

Mary Dannemiller can be reached at [email protected].