Make the Most out of Tuition

By Cassie Pearson: Features Editor

On October 13, 2015

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CLOCK PHOTO/ NIKO ZELINSKI

Make the Most out of Tuition

Cassie Pearson

Features Editor

Not all students are aware of the services covered by their tuition. Plymouth State University students share what they believe is included in the price they pay to come here.

A lot of students don’t know that it takes 15 or more credits a semester to graduate in four years. Amanda Bramlitt, a first year biochemistry major, had a pretty good grasp on what she paid for this year. Both Bramlitt and Ashlyn Szabo, a first year exercise science and physiology major, knew that tuition includes up to 17 credits per semester.

Many do not know of the two or more credits they waste each semester. A great way to utilize each credit is to take fun one-credit exercise courses like Tai Chi Chuan,or yoga.

Services on campus that most students are unaware of, but are included in the tuition price, include the counseling center and print balance. Bramlitt listed the math activities center, writing center, pass office tutoring, advising, and library resources as other available services.

Courtney Constant, a human relations graduate student, earned her BS from PSU in psychology with a concentration in development. Constant shared some of her knowledge about what services are available for students. “The services I believe that are included in tuition price are things like being able to visit health services free of charge, being able to have access to the University's library, access to lectures and computer labs, allotted free print quotas, and University's support services like the counseling center, to name a few,” said Constant. “Also, events held on campus are almost always free of charge to students.”

Students shared their opinion about what they think should be included in tuition price. Bramlitt said, “Books, [and] require supplies: safety goggles for labs, graphing calculator, etc.”

Constant agreed. “If I could choose one thing I wish tuition covered, it would have to be books,” she said, reflecting on her time as an undergraduate. “Students spend hundreds of dollars a semester on books that sadly sometimes barely, or never get used in the classroom. Often times it is not possible to sell them back to the book store and you're left with books you might never use again.”

Szabo had other ideas. “Athletes pay for gear and that stuff should be included, too,” she said. Student athletes are hit hard when they have to buy sports gear on top of all the other expenses; any little thing would be an improvement.

Taking into account the price students pay to attend PSU, it is important they know what they’re paying for.