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Do PCC students really need another fee added to their already increasing costs? On May 6, the Board of Trustees approved a $10 student activity fee that will be effective this fall.

Students have enough to worry about as it is, and this fee will put a strain on the already tight budgets of students.

Low-income students, or those that will only be taking a single unit class (possibly even at another site) will have to pay a $10 fee to register this fall at PCC. This does not seem necessary or fair.

The AS claims that “the fee may only fund activities in which students are direct participants,” according to the proposal approved by the Board.

This brings up one main question and concern of the students: where will all the money be going?

Although the student activity fee has an opt-out element, students have to pay the fee upfront when registering online or through the registration office.

If students for any reason decide they want to avoid paying the fee, due to “religious, political, moral, or financial reasons,” students can pick up a form to apply for a refund in the Student Affairs Office.

Precious time that can be allocated elsewhere will now be spent standing in lines and filling out paperwork so students can put their money back into their pockets.

The Associated Students has been working on this student activity fee for several years. A poll was taken of 1,425 PCC students, and 38 percent of the students in the poll disagreed with the new approved fee.

In 1989, an $8 student fee was discontinued for various reasons, and the new student activity fee effective this fall will parallel the guidelines of the old student fee. The AS is just updating and replacing some of the old policies and procedures with new and improved ones in the hope of a positive outcome for this student activity fee.

The new student activity fee will supplement the student service fund.

“Due to this difficult time and higher sales taxes, I cannot support an additional tax on students at this difficult time,” said Board of Trustees member John Martin, at the meeting at which the fee was approved.

With a $26 per unit tuition fee, $13 health fee, $1 student representation fee, hidden taxes through the bookstore and cafeteria, parking permits and additional fees, students, especially non-residents and international students, will have a tough time with this additional $10 fee.

The necessity for this fee is not evident, and an increase at such a difficult time in our economy is not wise.

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