Course Fee Guidelines

• Course Revision Form

Special course fees are fees assessed to all students in a course.

In general, students should only be charged a special course fee for those items which would not reasonably be included in instructional fees. Special course fees, when approved, must be used solely for support of the courses involved. All units must strive to administer the special fee funds in ways that provide students paying those fees a reasonable opportunity to benefit equitably from the expenditure of the fee funds. Difficulty in securing adequate regular budget support shall not be the determining factor in the decision to charge selected students a special course fee.

Students should not be prevented from taking a specific course because they cannot afford the course fee. Departments who offer courses with special course fees are required to provide a scholarship fund solely for the payment of course fees, for students with demonstrated financial need. Departments must provide students with information regarding obtaining financial aid applied toward course fees during the first 10 days of class.

All special course fees and changes to established course fees must be approved in writing by the Provost or designee(s). The Provost is responsible for insuring that these policies are observed. Exceptions may be authorized by the Provost or designee. Course fees will be reviewed on an annual basis by the Provost or designee(s).

Collection of special course fees in the classroom is not allowed. Except in those instances where payments are more appropriately paid directly to vendors, special course fees assessed by the university must be deposited to and expended from state accounts in the semester they are assessed. Special course fees will be added to a student’s account when the student registers in the course.

Course Fee Guidelines

Special course fees MAY be charged in the following situations:

1. For materials that result in a tangible product that is retained by the student in a credit course;

   A student is taking an art class resulting in a piece of jewelry kept by the student.

2. For equipment that is purchased for and retained by the student after the course is completed;

   A student in a photography course is required to purchase a specific camera, which becomes his personal property

3. For transportation and admission costs incurred on field trips required in course instruction.

   A student is taking a course where the course involves a required bus trip and admission to a museum

4. Aviation course fees, approved annually by the Board of Trustees.
   
   
5. For costs incurred by departments when instruction requires use of facilities the department does not control (tennis, ice arena, horseback riding, etc.).

Special course fees MAY NOT be charged in the following situations:

1. For the normal level of breakage or consumption of materials purchased by the University for direct use by students in activities that are integral to credit course instruction;

   Breakage fees beyond normal wear and tear for glassware for students enrolled in chemistry courses.

2. For health and/or safety equipment required in carrying out course activities;

   OSHA equipment requirements of safety shields, respirators, eye wash equipment, etc.

3. For computer and other laboratory equipment usage, primary software, maintenance and related supplies, used by all students and remaining with the college or department;

   Computer access required in an accounting course. Use of CAD/CAM in an architecture course. Use of chemistry laboratory.

4. For personal services including faculty, staff and teaching assistants;
   
   
5. In general, for activities related to required course instruction, even though these course activities represent special or extraordinary cost.

   Specimens for a biology course; reagents in a photography lab

The following items are considered to be PERSONAL expenses of students.

1. Food, lodging and incidentals on all required field trips.

   Lunch on a required field trip.

2. Transportation to sites related to student teaching, clinical assignments and other types of practicums.
          
3. Personal health, safety and dress requirements related to instruction.

   Health and safety supplies such as ear plugs, goggles, etc.

4. Recommended books and incidentals.
   

   Calculators recommended in a math class.

5. Required books, publications and software retained by the student at the completion of the course.

A special course fee may be assessed to students to facilitate the acquisition of items 1, 3 and 4, above.