Senior Suggestions: Fines rip through students’ wallets

My wallet is turning into a barren wasteland. The luscious green dollars that once populated my pockets have now all but disappeared. As if paying for tuition, a meal plan and housing weren’t enough to keep Rider University up and running, a number of arbitrary fees have further reduced the funds in my bank account.
Just last week I misplaced my Student ID and searched left and right in my room, my car and any place I had been in the last few hours. Unfortunately for me, my ID is still missing to this day. Not only does my ID provide me with entrance to my home in West Village, but it also serves as my meal plan and holds numerous Bronc Bucks that fulfill my Cranberry’s cravings.
Going a day without my identification card was just not an option. But unknown to me, Rider charges students $30 for a lost or stolen ID. To top that off, if you lose it again the fee is doubled to $60. While the stupidity of losing it is my problem alone, it seems a little ridiculous to be charging students $30-$60 for a piece of plastic.
To make matters even worse for my finances, Rider has initiated a new lockout policy for the Fall 2014 semester. If a student needs assistance getting into his or her room more than three times, he or she is slapped with another $30 fee. The effort it takes for an RA or a public safety officer to turn a key in a lock is hardly worth $30.
It seems like Rider is trying to take advantage of careless students. Thirty dollars here and there might not seem like a big blow to a student’s budget, but with other expenses such as textbooks and food subtracting funds from our bank accounts, it really does add up.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop there.
Last semester in Kroner Hall student shenanigans caused broken windows and exit signs. My quiet lifestyle doesn’t lead me to destruction of school property, but that doesn’t seem to matter. Rider charged me $5. While this may seem like a measly amount of money, that isn’t the point. I and numerous other residents of Kroner had nothing to do with this damage. I can’t imagine that the cost of replacing a window or an exit sign could surpass $100, but the money Rider collected on these fees could probably replace every exit sign in the building.
Ultimately, Rider is a wonderful university that provides its students with a strong education. I have greatly enjoyed my time here, but I can’t say the same for my finances. It seems like my classmates and I pay enough to attend Rider and I think we would all appreciate a few breaks on the fines.

-Christopher Brooks
Senior journalism major

Printed in the 09/24/14 issue.