A course fee or a laboratory fee is defined as a charge made to students to underwrite, in whole or in part,
the cost of service, rentals, and consumable supplies utilized in a laboratory environment.
Definition of laboratory: Laboratories for which fees may be charged include any space in which
students work with equipment and materials to enhance their skills. Examples include but are not limited
to writing labs, non-general use computer labs, the college farm, livestock buildings, the livestock
teaching center, chemistry labs, biological labs, engineering labs, and animal care labs.
Allowable Expenses: Expenses associated with a laboratory which are to be recouped through course and
laboratory fees are limited to either:
(1) unique costs, that is, unusual and particular costs associated with that course or
(2) physical materials which the student consumes during or takes away from the course.
Examples of these expenses include (but are not limited to): rental and gas for a van for a course
requiring a field trip; electrodes, gas, metal and other supplies to be consumed during a welding
course; specialized software needed by students who are studying GPS and variable-rate
technology; food included in the context of the subject being taught such as an etiquette dinner
for discussion in an employment seminar; chemicals and supplies used during an anesthesiology
laboratory.
Not Allowable Expenses: Expenses for which course associated laboratory Course and Laboratory Fees
may not be charged include:
(1) Personnel outside the context of the subject being taught, i.e. salary of instructor.
(2) Food purchased for human consumption outside the context of the subject being taught, i.e.
lunch purchased for students while on field trip.
(3) Expenses for computers, printers, general purpose software, and other equipment used in
general use laboratories. Colleges are expected to utilize their portion of the Student Technology
Fee for these types of expenses.
Course fees are for the benefit of students in that course on a per semester basis and are not intended to be
accumulated between semesters. Since course fees are not allocated to a faculty member until the end of a
semester, a balance from one semester may be rolled into the subsequent semester or year to fund the
estimated allocation for the subsequent class. It is the responsibility of faculty to budget the expenditure
of course fees in a manner that brings the most educational benefits to students in the class paying the fee.
Students are to be informed of course fees prior to the time they register for classes. Course fees shall be
advertised through all of these methods:
2. in the schedule of classes provided to students prior to registration, and
3. on the course syllabus
Any planned increase in fees must be approved by the President and subsequently included as a report to
the Board of Regents in a meeting agenda, prior to the proposed implementation of the increased fees.