The $313 Question:

Georgia College & State University students have one thing in common, regardless of their majors, minors, hometowns, ethnicities, races, GPAs, or hair colors. All students pay fees. Health fees, activity fees, parking fees and technology fees. These student fees are used throughout the University for the student’s direct benefit.

Stephanie Welch, a Nurse Practitioner with Student Health Services explains the services provided by the health fee of $59 per semester.

“Students pay a health fee each year that allows them to access student health at no charge,” said Welch. “They can utilize student health services as many times as needed throughout the semester.”

Antibiotics usually cost $6, while lab tests usually cost $5, said Welch. HIV testing and health education are available for free.

Welch said the health fee goes directly to the student health budget.

“[The fee] is used for salaries of the staff, medications, supplies and materials,” said Welch.

“There is a small fee for Women’s Health examination for birth control; this covers the cost of STD testing, PAP smear, and blood work,” reads a University published brochure, which adds that inhalers and aerosol breathing treatments are provided for free for those with asthma.

The Student Health Fee also covers student use of the Wellness Depot.

“[The Depot] is available to students for weight training and exercise programs as well as health education programs,” reads the brochure. “There is no additional charge to use the facility.”

The parking fee of $33 per semester per student contributes to the shuttle service as well as upkeep of existing parking lots. Commuter students have the option to upgrade their parking permit from “C” to “B” for an additional charge.

Recent additions in parking include a West End parking lot that will hold 501 vehicles. The lot is located on the corner of Hancock and Irwin Streets and is open to students, faculty and staff with “A,” “B” or “C” permits.

Richard Goodson, deputy director of GC&SU Public Safety, said the lot is well lit and is patrolled regularly by the GC&SU police from Public Safety. GC&SU shuttle service provides pick-up service for the Irwin Street lot every 15-20 minutes. The lot next to the Wellness Depot provides 110 additional parking spaces; a lot near Adams Hall also has 60 spots for resident parking.

Additional parking will soon be available in a new lot on North Clarke Street; a lot behind Napier Hall, currently occupied by construction, will also provide additional parking.

Daryl Richardson, Transportation Supervisor, said GC&SU’s transportation system
currently has four buses in operation: the Bobcat Shuttle, Campus-Green Street Shuttle, Campus-Centennial Center Shuttle, and the Irwin Street Shuttle.

“For a short time the Irwin Street Shuttle will also service students residing at Comfort Inn,” said Richardson.

The Athletic Fee of $126 per semester per student funds GC&SU’s athletic program. GC&SU students receive free admission to GC&SU athletic events throughout the year as a result of paying this fee.

Dr. Bruce Harshbarger explained the need for a University-wide athletic fee.

“In Georgia, athletic programs cannot be funded through state general funds, so they must be charged as mandatory fees,” said Harshbarger. “The athletic fee provides the funding to run the entire athletic program, including salaries, facilities, operating expenses and travel.”

Harshbarger added that, unlike other programs funded by fees, athletics cannot be scaled down to a smaller amount.

“One can’t reduce the number of players on an athletic team or play only half a schedule,” said Harshbarger. “The NCAA mandates that Division II programs support a minimum of ten intercollegiate sports, so reducing funded sports is not an option either.”

The Technology Fee of $38 per semester per student funds a plethora of technological endeavors.

Dr. Jim Wolfgang, Chief Information Officer, said that in previous years the fee has gone to fund technology in classrooms around campus and also at the Warner Robins and Macon campuses.

Wolfgang said last year student technology fees funded the technology implemented in the new Russell Library. These fees were important because state funded buildings do not receive any money for technology.

This year, said Wolfgang, technology fees will be used primarily to develop better ways for the campus as a whole to communicate. The idea, in concept form at the moment, is to have a portal that will allow students to access their Bobcat E-mail, PAWS, WebCT and any other University related information.

“Students and faculty have been behind this. I really appreciate the fact they got behind it,” said Wolfgang. “What better way for every student to use their fee?”

Wolfgang also said that the pay-for-print method of printing and copying evolved over time. Printing was costing the technology department around $80,000 a year and the decision was made to start charging a minimal fee to cover the cost of printing, said Wolfgang. Money made from pay-for-print goes directly back into printing services for buying paper and toner, Wolfgang added.

The Activity Fee of $59 per semester per student goes to fund various campus activities throughout the year that directly impact students.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Sep 3 2004. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry