NYT: Colleges increase use of student fees

<p>As Support Lags, Colleges Tack on Student Fees</p>

<p>By JONATHAN D. GLATER
Published: September 4, 2007</p>

<p>When Emily McLain decided to enroll at the University of Oregon, a significant part of the appeal was low tuition. She had not counted on all the fees that unexpectedly appeared on her bill.</p>

<p>“I had my dad calling me asking, ‘What’s this for?’ ” said Ms. McLain, 22, a political science and international studies major now entering her last year at the university.</p>

<p>This year, for instance, the university is charging a $51 “energy surcharge” for rising electricity costs. A $270 “technology fee” for computer service. There is the $371.25 fee for the campus health center, a $135 fee to maintain buildings and grounds and a $624 “incidental fee,” for student activities. And more.</p>

<p>All told, fees add up to $1,542, or nearly an additional 40 percent on top of tuition of $3,984. That does not even count additional fees charged for taking certain courses.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/04/education/04fees.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/04/education/04fees.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>