Student fees are an unknown expense to many Salt Lake Community College students.
Often combined with tuition payments, student fees are distributed among many different services, all of which require funding to run properly. But some students may question why they are required to pay those fees and what the fees are actually used for.
What student fees support
SLCC dispenses the biggest portion of fees to the most used resources on campus, including events and activities, student services, technology, athletics and health services. A smaller amount of fees are given to child care, transportation, the arts and the Globe newspaper.
The price of student fees gradually increases with each credit hour taken, up to 10 hours. During the 2016-2017 academic year students will pay $225.25 in fees if they take 10 or more credit hours.
Students who enroll in online courses will pay an extra $40 in fees. This additional money is used toward e-learning maintenance and support services.
Student opinions vary
SLCC student and Student Association Central Region board member Amelia Hansen thinks the fees are fair.
“SLCC does a good job of spreading out the fees to programs that are worthwhile,” she says. “As far as SLCC is concerned our fees are lower compared to most of the institutions in Utah.”
Fellow student Jasmine Gamoneda believes that other SLCC students may take issue with where the money is spent.
“I don’t think the fees are unreasonable, but if I was a new student doing generals I would find them unsettling,” she says.
Any student who wants more information about the student fee policy can visit the policies and procedures section of the SLCC website.
