Everything MSU students shouldn’t have to pay for
For as much as we pay in tuition, you would think certain things would be included
In-state tuition for one whole year as an underclassmen at Michigan State is $23,136. Whether you are paying for it for yourself or you’re one of the lucky ones having family paying, there are several things we don’t get included in that large chunk of change.
Printing
Yeah I know. This seems like it would be one of the first things included into our tuition bill, but its not. But let me drop this bomb on you. If you’re any type of engineering major, you DO get free printing. So you’re telling me that an engineer gets to print all they want, but I’m a journalism student, writing papers and articles constantly and I have to pay the 5 cents per page. Why can’t they just include an extra $75 on my billing statement? Everyone would be way more happy.
Gym membership
Yup, this one isn’t included either. Now I totally get that working out isn’t everyones cup of tea. But for me to pay for a semester membership at the gyms on campus it’s $80. Thats just around $20 a month for just ONE semester. And during the spring semester, we aren’t even here that much, between spring break, easter and finals. Students are gone by the first week in may, just tack this one into our tuition too please!
Bus pass
This one puzzles me the most. Not one other school that I know of in the state of Michigan makes their students pay for a bus pass. And those silly pieces of paper aren’t cheap. $50 at the nearest Spartys store or bookstore will get you to ride on those giant hunks of metal all semester long. Im not gonna lie, if I lived in East Neighborhood (aka like 20 miles away from the rest of campus) I would buy one every semester. But in my case a bike does me just as good of a job, if not better than the bus. Expect for when it rains or is snowing or -12 degrees outside.
Sports tickets
Let me just give a quick disclaimer, I am 100% in love with MSU sports teams. All of them. We have some of the most talented athletes in the country and having been a high school athlete I envy their ability to still play the sports they love. With that being said, I can’t wrap my head around the fact that I pay $185 for football season tickets as a student, but if I want to go to a gymnastics meet or a field hockey game, I pay maybe $3 to see a team that is just as talented and exciting.
If there is one thing we do get for free on this campus it is: Air
That’s it. Air. Currently very cold air. Everything else comes out of pocket.