Saturday, January 26, 2013

Another Darned Student Fee

Having been in the maw of higher ed for a number of years, I know about surprising fees tacked on by universities in order to get operational money, which is among the not-so-sweet mysteries of life.  Now it seems that Worcester State College in Massachuetts has managed to top the parking fee charges that have been around since, maybe, the raccoon skin coat, hip flask, and flapper era.   Are non-drivers exempt from this kind of fee?  Nope.  Students without cars are charged a fee for walking on campus!  Yes, you can read it here:

http://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2013/01/22/worcester-state-charges-students-walking-campus

It's allegedly to maintain the sidewalks.  But will they levy a fee if campus visitors walk on the sidewalks?  Doing this might cause a stir on homecoming weekend!  What next, a fee for toilet use?

It turns out that the quintessinal boy band, the Beatles, may have been Junior Nostradamuses in one of their songs:

Let me tell you how it will be
There's one for you, nineteen for me
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

Should five per cent appear too small
Be thankful I don't take it all
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah I'm the taxman

If you drive a car, I'll tax the street,
If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat.
If you get too cold I'll tax the heat,
If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet.

Don't ask me what I want it for
If you don't want to pay some more
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

Now my advice for those who die
Declare the pennies on your eyes
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman
And you're working for no one but me.









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