After five years, inactive money set aside by the Student Association to help victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York City will finally be used for another cause.

The Student Assembly passed a resolution authored by current president Mike Smyth to allow the funds to be used to aid those affected by the Jan. 26 fire at the Riviera Ridge Apartments.

According to the resolution, the funds will be used to help the 34 Binghamton University students who were victims of the fire rebuild their lives. Of the 34, 18 students lost all of their possessions and 16 lost many due to water and smoke damage.

The funds were initially raised in 2001 after the Sept. 11 attacks to assist anyone affected by the tragedy. The money remained in the fund as a result of difficulties in the application process and the SA’s failure to set a strict deadline for applications.

“Eventually people just stopped applying and the funds just sat there,” Smyth said.

Last year a proposal was made to use the money for tsunami relief efforts, but was voted down by the Assembly under the argument that the funds should be used to help people with ties to the University. The SA also disagreed about whether the money could be used for a purpose other than the one it was collected for initially.

“Last year people realized that the fund was still there and should go somewhere,” Smyth said, “but that was voted down. When I heard about Riviera Ridge, I knew we had money laid aside and we would be able to transfer the money as soon as possible.”

Smyth’s resolution was passed unanimously by the Assembly.

“This time it will clearly help BU students,” Smyth said. “Since the fund couldn’t serve its original purpose, it’s best to help people now and do something with it.”

Over $5,000 had been in the Sept. 11 fund, which has now been transferred to an account co-sponsored by the administration and the SA to create one unified source to aid the victims of the fire. The affected students now receive discounts for housing at University Plaza and in the Dickinson Community on BU’s campus.

“I hope this money can really help these students get back on their feet and where they want to be,” said Smyth. “Let this be a reminder to everyone that fires do happen and it’s worth it to get renter’s insurance when you move off campus.”