Darlene Lucero, associate registrar, said there has been a significant increase in the amount of courses that charge special fees at UNM over the past few years.
Lucero said this semester there are 1,123 University courses that have additional fees students must pay, and it's becoming a trend among University departments to implement fees for all their classes.
"The number and size of the fees are going up," Lucero said. "The University needs to look into the reasons for the fees and where that money is going."
UNM bursar Leo Moya said many University departments have instituted a "technology fee" to keep their students educated on the latest technology. The Anderson Schools of Management, the School of Architecture and Planning and the School of Engineering are among departments that now charge the fees, he added.
"The departments determine what fees are necessary and they keep the students informed about what they must pay to remain atop the ever-changing field of technology," Moya said.
Moya agreed that the fees have increased significantly in recent years, adding that many department's fees are costing students $10 a credit hour.
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"It's not unusual for students to pay $120-$150 in addition to their tuition because of these fees," Moya said.
He said he is unaware of any programs that monitor the use of the collected funds.
Richard Holder, associate provost of academic affairs, said the technology fee program has been a tremendous success in keeping the University competitive and bridging the gap between administration and students.
"In every case department administrators went to student groups in the department who approved the fees," Holder said. "As far as I'm aware, in those schools with the technology fee the programs appear to be working well. I have not heard any student complaints."
The program, which on average costs students $30 a class, was implemented some years ago in an attempt to keep the University's technological capabilities current, said Joe Cecchi, dean of the School of Engineering.
Cecchi said the money collected through the fees is used on instructional equipment such as updating computer pods, computer software and overhead projectors.
"In all cases the money should be used to benefit the students," Cecchi said.
Cecchi said each department that uses the program relies on student participation in the decision making process on how the money should be spent. He said a committee made of faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students agrees on the amount of fees needed for the coming year.
"It's a fact of life that technology changes rapidly," Cecchi said. "We have to keep up with those changes or we will be left behind."
Cecchi said the program has been successful in a number of ways in the engineering department.
"It is one of the few ways that students can give their input on the decision making process," he said. "Also, it is helping to acquaint them with the difficulties we (administrators) face in making those decisions."
