The state Board of Regents has approved policies aimed at providing more oversight over how colleges pay for some new buildings.

One of the new policies could save students money because it calls on colleges to pay closer attention to refinancing options and make sure that at least half of those savings be used to reduce fees and other charges. It could be at least a couple of years before students benefit from any savings.

The rules focus on non-academic buildings such as dorms and parking decks built through public-private partnerships and funded in part by student fees.

The rules would also require the system to establish a reserve fund to provide a safety net for the projects.

Tags: University System of Georgia, Board of Regents, college buildings