While most Salt Lake Community College students are aware of rising tuition costs and other stresses, they may also be unaware of many benefits and services they receive as enrolled students.
Student life is filled with time-consuming tasks: classes, papers, labs, meetings, tests, group projects, work, sleep and some kind of a social life.
College students spend a lot of money to be tested — in every sense of the word. Between the late nights studying and the early mornings in class, there’s little time to look for campus perks.
Throughout the years, SLCC communication professor Shirene McKay has searched for and compiled benefits offered to all students who are enrolled.
“Whenever I hear of services offered by the school, I look into them and add them to my list,” McKay says. “I include the list of benefits in the syllabus and pass it out at the beginning of every semester.”
Free, easy access to expensive software
When it comes to technology on campus, services go well beyond the computer labs and free Wi-Fi.
In addition to 50 free prints a semester, SLCC students receive free subscriptions to Microsoft Office and full access to school servers that allow any student to run AutoCAD, MathLab, Maple and Adobe software.
And since students are relying more on their smartphones, SLCC recently switched to Google for free cloud-based email and other tools.
One free massage every semester
As the stress level rises during the semester, students can enjoy a free massage through Health and Wellness Services.
Fine (pronounced fee-nay) Inukihaangana has taken full advantage this program, which is offered to every enrolled student on a SLCC campus.
“Towards the end of the semester, I just need it, man,” Fine says. “I’m all about that massage and taking in that TLC.”
All currently enrolled students can receive one free massage per semester; additional hour-long massages are $30 each.
Quality dental care at a discount price
While free software and massages may be well known to students, SLCC also offers dental exams and cleanings at a fraction of the cost.
Students who visit the dental hygiene clinic will pay just $20 for an exam, a cleaning, x-rays and fluoride. The work is done by dental hygiene students and monitored by industry professionals.
Now closed for the summer, the clinic will begin scheduling appointments for the fall semester in late August.
‘Every little bit counts’
While there are many benefits and services that are included in the tuition that each student pays, it’s important to remember that getting an education can still be fun.
With computer labs, food courts, student centers, sports teams, club events and more, SLCC provides the full college experience at community college prices.
After learning of some of these services, SLCC student Kaysen Newman has taken advantage of what his hard-earned tuition dollars are paying for.
“After paying tuition you’re still not out of the woods; there are still books, notebooks, parking passes, and computers to pay for in order to get by. When it comes to those benefits, every little bit counts,” Newman says.
