At the first student government meeting of the semester, university officials unveiled increased student fees to begin next year.
“It’s only a 2.5 percent increase and it’s a package deal. They are bringing in a lot more stuff like IT software and a centralized tutoring center,” Thomas Mammen, biology sophomore and SGA member, said.
Current students will see an overall increase of 2.5 percent. Incoming students will get hit with a 3.4 percent increase for everything but parking permits. The parking permits are not included in the totals, but will increase in cost by 40 percent — from $50 to $70.
In addition, fee increases will pay for a new 244-spot parking lot where the free-play field is now located beside the West Campus Annex.
“It’s a necessary evil to take out that free play field for parking,” Mammen said.
The university service fee will be increased from $60.25 to $66.25 per credit hour, capping out at $90. The student service fee will be increased from $15.50 to $17.05 per credit hour, capping out at $250, costing a student taking 12 credit hours an additional $18.60/semester.
In part, the fees will be used toward new IT work software to help school officials calculate the exact number of courses needed for each class for a semester.
The fees will also go towards a new Office of Equality and Diversity Student Affair Services, which will deal directly diversity issues around campus, including discrimination.
“Honestly if you remember [about the discriminating posts against a student] with Marco, then they could’ve handled it. It may bring more diversity and it would make a less discriminating campus, especially when we have a broad range of students,” Mammen said.
The new fees will also fund a centralized tutoring center, providing job opportunities for students who want to become tutors.
“Most campuses have a centralized tutoring center, so if I need help with math then science, I don’t have to go from one building to another. It would save time,” Mammen said.
