Opinion: Take advantage of your student fees
A common complaint from any college student, no matter the degree they are getting or the college they come from: student fees and tuition are too high.
However, Utah State University is one of the most affordable colleges in the nation. Instead of complaining, try utilizing. Here is what your tuition and fees get you at Utah State.
The services available for students at USU are meant to make life and experience here easier. The major categories are academic resources, wellness and student involvement.
In academic resources, USU has in-person mathematics tutoring at the Aggie Math Learning Center, and USU Online students have free access to tutor.com.
For wellness, there are counseling and psychological services provided for students. On campus, there is a clinic with specific services that include primary care, urgent care and psychiatric/mental health services.
USU also has resources for students to plan their life after college. Kevin Schwemmin, the executive director of the USU Career Design Center, said the primary goal is helping students figure out their careers and find one that aligns with a major.
One common misconception is the center is only for those with exploratory majors or seniors about to go into the work field.
“Early and often,” Schwemmin said is the best time for students to tap into the career design services.
For students who have selected their majors, there are career design specialists who are aligned with each of the colleges. These specialists understand the variety of employment options available to students after graduation and know what current actions students can be taking to get that job.
Instead of waiting until the last semester of a student’s degree to get for help the formatting of a resume, the center can help with the content of the resume. From internship opportunities to on-campus clubs, students are able to develop their personal brand to have a leg up in the competitive employment field.
But there are also many services you are paying for each semester — maybe even without realizing it.
Porter Casdorph, the head of the Logan Campus Student Fee Board, has seen unique ways to take advantage of student fees.
“Campus Rec fees give them access to materials that help them try out a plethora of different potential hobbies and sports that they have never tried,” Casdorph said in an email.
He also said student fees go into building fees, which allow students to reserve rooms and spaces at no cost.
“Whether you want to host a birthday party or put tape on the floor and make a temporary mini-golf course, students can reserve those spaces,” Casdorph wrote.
When it comes to something new to get out of your student fees, Casdorph said volleyball, softball and soccer are some less-attended events that are fun to go to.
Your fees extend beyond buildings and recreation though. Fees for music and theater contribute to the Department of Theatre Arts productions and grants unlimited admission to campus performances, only requiring your student ID.
One upcoming performance is “9 to 5: The Musical” is planned to premiere in the Morgan Theatre on April 15.
A great way for students to reduce the cost of travel is Aggie Blue Bikes. Located near the heart of campus, it has three-month rentals for bikes as well as personal tune ups which educates students in the process of how to fix their own bike. The services are free — as long as you bring the bike back in time.
Jo McDonald, the shop manager, said there are other resources available for students besides bikes tune ups. Students can bring in their longboard, skateboard or even scooter to be repaired with the tools available for students.
Each one of these fees are selected and planned out by the Student Fee Board made of fellow USU students, followed by a hearing open to all Statewide Campuses, a Board of Trustees review and finally a review from the Utah Board of Higher Education.
The thorough process is made with the intention of getting students the best and most affordable experience at USU. Going to campus events and using campus resources is the best way to get the most out of your fees.
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Sara Prettyman is a Maryland-born-and-raised sophomore majoring in applied mathematics. She loves drawing, running and reading.
— A02342348@usu.edu