By: Jarrod Knowles / Contributing Writer
A few days ago, I logged into my.fiu.edu and clicked the “Account Inquiry” link. It says I owe $1200! But, hold on a moment. What in the world am I paying for?
A health fee? I have my own insurance, thank you. A parking access fee? This really does not apply to me because I do not even own a vehicle. An identification card fee? That’s funny, because when I lost my Panther ID and went to have it replaced, I was informed that it would cost $10 the first time and, if I lost it again, it would increase to $15.
So, what is the purpose of paying that fee when it is supposedly already paid for in my tuition?
Furthermore, may someone please inform me as to what a “non-resident tuition difference fee” is?
It is evident that the University is getting way more than they bargained for and much more than they deserve. However, my intention is not to point the finger or cast judgment. Rather, I wish to shed light and ultimately raise awareness on this prevalent issue that troubles, confuses, and infuriates many students.
In life, money is one thing that any sensible, responsible human being values extensively. We like to receive value for our money and to be fully aware of exactly what we are paying for as well as how it benefits us. After all, we work hard for our possessions and wealth.
“Money does not grow on trees”, as my parents used to tell me. Technically it does come from paper, which is extracted from a tree, however, the fact of the matter is that money is not always so easily accessible. Realistically, you must contribute your time, labor, and expertise to make a buck, regardless of your line of work.
With that being said, we as college students, some of us working, now fully understand an average hardworking and responsible person’s perspective of money. It is established that money most definitely does not grow on trees and, furthermore, it takes effort, dedication, and sacrifice to make ends meet.
Might I add that in some cases, it may even require blood, sweat, and tears to put food on the table and settle the bills.
Therefore, it is evident that the frustration and discontentment which a college student and his or her caretakers experience on the issue of paying unnecessary fees is indeed justified. We, the students, are fed up with these miscellaneous charges which we unwillingly or unknowingly pay for and receive no benefit in return.
Quite frankly, if I am paying a health fee and I not once visit University Health Services during the semester, then something is indeed terribly wrong. I am not getting the value for that hard-earned money spent, and, if you ask me, I am certainly being taken advantage of. We all have a right to know where our money is being allocated and the right to not pay for something that we do not utilize.
Contributing one’s hard -earned money to a lost cause is nothing short of absurd and outrageous. The University must revisit their policies and procedures regarding student fees to ensure that it is just and “student-friendly.”
Ultimately, in order to ensure that students get the full value for the money they spend and get the best overall college experience, they should only pay fees that apply to them. Myself and the rest of the student community should not have it any other way.
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