Summer sessions see lack of activities, students still pay fees

For students who take classes during the summer, the lack of organized student activities can make the experience much different from fall and spring semesters.

Students still pay a student activities fee along with summer tuition, said Andy Hermansdorfer, director of student activities and Greek affairs.

However, the office of student activities does not officially operate in the summer, so unless students take advantage of it themselves, it often goes unused for its designated purpose, Hermansdorfer said.

"Traditionally, we've not had a lot of programming in the summer," Hermansdorfer said. "Students ask for specifics, and we do them."

Hermansdorfer said the office organized a bus trip to a West Virginia Power baseball game last summer.

Summer classes may offer the same credit as full-semester courses, but the lack of students on campus makes it seem less like college, said Luke Stanford, junior business marketing major from Oklahoma City, Okla.

"Campus is very dead in the summer," Stanford said. "There's no one just sitting and talking in the student center like in the fall or spring."

Stanford said he would like more activities for students during summer sessions.

"There should be at least one night a week with activities," Stanford said. "I don't think we should have to pay unless there are opportunities for us."

Hermansdorfer said he did not know where the student activities fees from the summer went and that it did not directly fund opportunities for the office of student activities to put on extra events.

Stanford said when he learned about the activities fee and the lack of activities it funds, he was upset because his money was being wasted.

"Paying the student activities fee in the summer isn't fair because the office doesn't operate, really," Stanford said.

Stanford said using the student activities fee for its intended purpose could increase enrollment in summer courses, because students might receive more of the normal college experience.

"If you have more enjoyable things on campus, more students would probably take advantage of campus during summer," Stanford said.

One event that is planned for the summer is the Cincinnati Reds Thunderfest day in Cincinnati, Ohio as part of the Reds' community days, Hermansdorfer said.

Hermansdorfer said the office of student activities accepts requests and ideas for activities year-round.

Erin Shaver can be contacted at shaver29@marshall.edu.