What's In Your Wallet?

Hello again, UB students! Hopefully you are enjoying your summer so far. This week I have been personally obsessed with finances. After spending hours balancing checkbooks and forecasting loan fees for the next semester, the sad truth is now evident: I am a poor college student. I know that many of you are in the same boat. It’s not cheap to get a college education. There are the daily expenses of transportation, parking, food, maybe materials for class…before you know it, you’re down to your last dollar and counting the days until your next paycheck.

That is why, my fellow penny-pinchers, I decided to Blog this week about money. Your money and how it’s being spent. It’s odd that we pay thousands of dollars per semester to UB but rarely stop to consider where that money is going. So, I did a little research to find out what all those fees we pay every semester are about. Here’s a list of the fees you will likely find on your tuition statement and what they mean:

Student Center Fee: If you have never set foot in the Student Center, make a point to check it out. It’s a beautifully designed and well-maintained building. Within the building are different study areas for students. Some are “quiet” and behind closed doors, others more open with comfy chairs and a view of the street. The Bookstore, Theatre, Cafeteria and Convenience Store are also all located in the Student Center. Not to mention, the Rec Area on the bottom floor with pool tables, foosball and TVs. Our fees each semester(~$347 for full time students) support the operation and upkeep of the Student Center.

Student Services Fee: Our fee for student services covers a range of programs. A few worth mentioning are the Health Center, Counseling Services & Wellness Center. Healthcare and counseling are available to all students at UB and comparatively affordable. A~$110 fee for full time students per semester is a deal when you consider what you might pay for a counseling session and/or visit to the clinic without insurance in the real world.

Auxiliary Construction Fee: If you’ve taken a recent walk down N. Charles St, you will certainly notice that UB has been busy with construction. The new Yale Gordon Liberal Arts Building just had its Grand Opening in April and the new classrooms, offices, and labs inside are beautiful. Still in the works are a new center for the School of Law and Schaefar Center for Public Policy. The Fitzgerald (http://www.fitzgeraldbaltimore.com/) is another development already well on its way as well. All these projects are supported by our ~$98 per semester as full time students.

Auxiliary Operating Fee: This fee pays for Shuttle Services and Food Services Operations. Need I say more? One shuttle ride to your car when it’s raining or a much-needed sandwich before an evening class will make your ~$211 per semester totally worth it.

Student Government Association Fee: For ~$25 per semester we have the privilege of supporting our fellow students in Student Government while they plan, organize and create events and outreach. If anyone attended our Block Party last semester, you can thank your $25 contribution and the sweat of our Student Gov. Reps for making the event possible.

So there you have it. Hopefully this information has better informed you of where your tuition money goes and has made feel more secure that UB does not squander your dollars recklessly. As for me, though I may not have much in my wallet today, I’m investing in an education at UB today that I know will put some back in it in the future.