In today’s world of budget cuts and furloughs, there may actually be such a thing as a free lunch.

The Student/Faculty Enrichment Fund “encourages faculty to host voluntary, out-of-class social gatherings” to enhance students’ overall college experience, according to the fund’s Web site.

Gary Green, assistant professor in the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, said the fund is invaluable.

“Anything that helps to break down barriers between faculty and students is very worthy,” he said.

Each semester, Green uses the fund to take his classes out for pizza, he said. After talking with students, “they see you as a person,” he said.

Trey Davis, a senior from Griffin, said he jumped at Green’s offer of free pizza.

Davis said his class experience did not change after the meal.

“The only reason I went was the free food,” he said.

Still, Davis said it was a good experience.

“I think it helped to get to know your teachers,” he said.

Green said eating with his students creates personal connections.

“After the social, they’re more willing to sort of joke with me,” he said, adding they are more willing to ask questions in class.

Green said classmates are also able to make personal connections.

“It makes it easier, if things come up, for them to express their opinions in class, even if it’s completely opposite viewpoints,” he said.

The fund, run through the University of Georgia Foundation, was established 10 years ago.

“It’s all private funding. It’s private donations from people who want to support this sort of fund,” said Tom Jackson, vice president for public affairs.

Jackson said his most memorable college experiences were outside class.

“When I was a student, our British history professor held an event where each of us had to play the role of a character in British history,” he said. For Jackson, this event was not just a party, but a learning experience.

Green said he wishes his college experience had more personal interaction.

“When I went to university in England, the professor would sit down, open the book and start reading,” he said.

According to Jackson, the fund makes $25,000 available for faculty annually. This year, a total of only $4,000 has been spent during about 20 occasions.

When using the fund, faculty are allowed to spend $8 per student, up to $500.

Jackson said the down economy has not deterred donations to the fund or any other University foundations.

“Our general fundraising for the University is holding its own,” he said. “We keep waiting for the fall off, but it hasn’t happened.”

Green said he plans to continue using the fund.

“I think it’s a very positive thing to do,” he said.