Fine to Graduate?

A three dollar fine could outweigh four years at a university and could potentially prevent  a student from graduating. Many different fees can accumulate over the four years in school, some academic and some not so academic, such as late fees, parking fines, dorm damage charges and collection related costs. Now think: what is the number one fee that always seems to creep up? That's right, library fees. 

When enrolling in class at PSU, students agree to pay all expenses that they may acquire while attending. All have a responsibility for adhering to all billing policies here at the University. Think of this scenario:  finally sitting down and beginning to plan for graduation only a few weeks away.  Think about the new internship, job opportunity, or the looks on all the parents' faces, and BAM! Everything is put to a halt because there is a hold on the student's account that is delaying the processing of that elusive diploma. 

Student Account Services tells the student there's a hold on their account caused by unpaid library fees, and they can't graduate until their balance is paid. This could happen to anyone who is unaware that they have an unpaid balance on their bill. 

In terms of library fees, the billing process for the library is to pass along bills to the Student Account Services team if a book is not returned to the library. The fine billed to the student is for the exact cost to replace the book and no late fees are assessed. 

In the event that you are handing in a rented book late, the entire charge can be reversed. It's important to be informed that any revenue from library fines goes into one of the University's general education fund, which helps the budget buy new and replacement materials. 

In order to prompt students to check their bills, Student Account Services send out regular informative emails. They also target seniors, who have applied to graduate, specifically towards the end of the fall and spring semesters in order to inform them if they have unpaid charges on their bills. 

To prevent enduring the possible halt on accounts and utter annoyance, you be sure to return library materials at the end of the term. It's important to check bills frequently, especially as the end of term approachs. Seniors who plan on applying for graduation should be checking their bill more frequently and again about a month after the term ends. 

For more information about this issue, contact Student Account Services or the Helpdesk located in Lamson Library.