MADISON, Wis. -- University of Wisconsin System leaders have approved a controversial new policy that will make it harder for some nonprofit groups to receive student fees.

UW System vice president Don Mash said that the policy protects the university from increasing pressure from groups seeking funding for services that don't benefit students.

He said that only about six organizations on the UW-Madison campus will be affected by the policy change, which will make it harder for groups to use the money for salaries and off-campus rent.

Those groups, including the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group, had led a campaign to try to kill the policy. This week, 33 Democratic lawmakers representing UW campuses asked the system to reject the change.