Gym memberships, haircuts, oil changes, and even teeth cleanings. Students pay for these services everyday but could get for cheap or even for free on the SLCC campus.
Those who work at the various teaching centers that provide such services say many students are not aware of just how much money they could be saving while getting the same quality of services.
“Some clinics will charge upward of $150 for the service we do for $20,” an employee at SLCC’s Dental Hygiene Clinic, Wendy Mitchell said. “We’ve had a lot of students say they get a better cleaning and better service than when they go to their family clinic.”
Located on the Jordan Campus, The Dental Hygiene Clinic offers the same services as a regular dentist office, only for a lot less money. The $20 fee includes x-rays, cleaning, fluoride treatment and an examination by a real dentist.
“The students are paying immaculate attention to what they are doing and that they are doing it properly,” Mitchell said.
Another upside to the on-campus hygiene clinic is that students don’t have to wait a long time to get an appointment. Students can get seen within a few weeks or even quicker, according to Mitchell.
Another area where students can really save is with their gym memberships. The Lifetime Activities Center or LAC has most of the same equipment as other gyms in town. But unlike the other gyms, the LAC is free to students and staff.
“Quite a few people have canceled their Golds gym membership,” Mike Ginnetti, a supervisor at the LAC said. “Students are very satisfied with the gym. Our equipment is great, we have lots of brand new equipment.”
Another big difference from the other gyms in town is that students don’t have to sign a contract, which can carry hefty cancellation fees.
“Students are very satisfied with the gym,” Ginnetti said. “It’s free and it’s right here on campus.”
SLCC students can also save big by getting their hair cut and colored on campus.
“As for as I know we offer anything they offer at regular salons,” Terry Nay, who works with students at the Barbering and Cosmetology clinic on the Redwood Campus said.
Men’s haircuts are only $2 and women’s haircuts are only a dollar more.
Nay says women especially can save a lot of money if they normally pay to have their hair colored at other salons.
The typical coloring application at the Cosmetology clinic is $15. A regular salon could charge close to $100 for the same service, according to Nay. While women do need to make an appointment, men can just walk-in.
The Cosmetology clinic also offers manicures, pedicures and acrylic nails.
SLCC is typically described as a commuter college, with many students driving their own cars to campus. Which is why students should be aware of the Automotive Technology Center.
The center provides oil changes, tire rotations, brake work along with other car care services.
“The work we are doing here is quality work,” Dan Rogers, a supervising technician at the Auto Technology Center, said.
The auto center charges a $25 per hour for labor. Rogers said he used to work at a dealership that charged $109 an hour.
A typical oil change will run students about $19.
Besides the obvious cost-saving benefits and convenience of staying on campus, the supervisors at the various student learning centers said students who pay for services on campus are also helping their fellow students learn.