Consult students

New computer consulting fee needs more student input

It's an old saying, but it's true -- it doesn't hurt to ask.

The University needs to get as much input as possible before adding on yet another fee.

In the last year or so alone, the University has tacked on a $25 student activity fee and doubled the computer fee to $70.

Now the University wants to charge students as much as $10 per school year to have resident computer consultants available on campus.

The University estimates it would cost $120,000 per school year to provide rooms in the dorms for 60 Resident Computer Consultants.

In a pilot program in East Halls, the consultants came to students' rooms and helped them with computer problems.

The University surveyed the students in East Halls and found 92 percent liked the service.

And the service sounds like a great idea, especially as more and more students are getting personal computers in their dorms -- because even though the Center for Academic Computing has several help lines, sometimes they're busy and sometimes there's nothing like having a real human being next to you for help.

Which is all well and good if you have a computer in your room.

But what about students who don't have computers?

Only about 45 percent of students on campus right now have a computer in their rooms. Students certainly don't need any more fees -- especially not for services many won't be able to use.

And chances are, it's the students who would have trouble paying the additional fee who won't benefit from it anyway.

The University is a master at adding on fees to the cost of students' education. Now is the chance for the University to prove itself open to student input.

A referendum on the Undergraduate Student Government election ballot would be a good place to start getting student feedback on the issue.

The referendum, while traditionally only answered by about 1,000 students, would give students from all residence hall areas a chance to show how they feel.

After all, students will be paying for the service.

It can't hurt to ask.

But don't count on it. Some student government leaders think the University is already poised to go through with the computer consultant plan, regardless of anything students have to say about it.

Increased student fees must be approved by the University Board of Trustees. E-mail Student Trustee Nathan Nair at mnn100@email.psu.edu and let him know if you're concerned about this issue.