Where Is Your Money Going? She enters her password and logs into Hokie Spa. After a few clicks, an itemized bill appears. Student activity fee, health service fee, athletic fee, recreational sports fee, student services fee, technology fee. She is paying them, and so are you. Do you know what they are? And more importantly, what they support? These are fees that all undergraduate and graduate students pay as part of tuition at Virginia Tech. This may not mean much to some, but for those who are venturing through college on their own means, every dollar counts. “Tuition payments seem simple enough,” said Evan Archer, sophomore human nutrition, foods, and exercise major. “I didn’t realize that these payments are distributed to so many general categories. I would like to know where my money is going.” The money collected from tuition payments support a multitude of services for students here at Virginia Tech. Unfortunately, not everyone understands what their money is going towards and what is available to them. Some categories of payments are self-explanatory, like room and board. However, there are other fee titles that are not as clear. Some of the main fees that will be focused on are student services, health service, student activity, academic, athletic, recreation sports and technology. The University Bursar’s website states that the student services fee supports the debt retirement, maintenance, and operation of the Career Services facility as well as the Hokie Passport. According to Claire Childress, assistant director of Career Services, the facility provides resources about internships, externships, career fairs, job searches and graduate schools as well as guidance on how to write cover letters and format resumes. The health service fee paid as part of student tuition provides for medical, nursing and counseling services provided by the University Student Health Services at Schiffert Health Center. “Many students don’t even realize all the health center has to offer,” said Laurie Schmidt, a health educator at Schiffert. “The health center provides many resources such as dieticians, psychologists, medical professionals and health educators. I think a lot of students know that there is a health center, but as college students, this is a time to start taking responsibility for your health.” The University Bursar noted that the health service fee is optional for students paying less than full tuition. Another fee included in the tuition is the student activity fee. The University Bursar’s website reported that money generated from this fee supports the debt retirement, maintenance and operations of the Student Centers. It also provides funds to Virginia Tech Union programs and activities, which are outlined by the Student Budget Board. The Virginia Tech Union’s website stated that the main goal of the organization is to provide quality entertainment that represents the diversity of Virginia Tech’s students as well as the local community. This entertainment includes concerts, films, lively arts and speakers. The organization also provides leadership and volunteer opportunities for students to enhance their out-of-classroom experience. The academic fee is another payment made as part of tuition. The University Bursar defines this fee as a way to offset decreasing state support. It helps make faculty salaries more competitive and assists with increasing the availability of course sections. It also enhances the overall quality of Virginia Tech’s programs. Athletics also receives money from tuition payments. This fee supports the athletic program operations at Virginia Tech. One aspect that the money goes towards is the privilege of being able to pick up free students tickets for seasonal home athletic events. The University Bursar noted that this is another fee that is optional for students paying less than full tuition. In addition to the athletic fee, students pay a recreational sports fee. This supports intramural and extramural sport club programs and recreational activities of Virginia Tech. The Department of Recreational Sports organizes these programs. According to the Department of Recreational Sports’ website, the organization’s mission is to work in partnership with Virginia Tech to enhance the quality of life for students, faculty, staff and their families. The organization supports recreational and fitness activity for all students. Another fee included in tuition for Virginia Tech is the technology fee. As listed on the website, this money supports the technology initiatives for students. When asked for elaboration, there was no further clarification from the University Bursar regarding the technology fee. As you can see, tuition payments support all types of services and important resources for students of Virginia Tech. Some of you may have known about all of this, but for those of you that didn’t, it couldn’t hurt to check out these organizations (especially since you are already providing their funding). More information about tuition payments and links to the organizations mentioned can be found at the University Bursar’s website at www.bursar.vt.edu. |