If students want to have a fine time at The University of Memphis, they need to be aware of fines that may mar their college experience.
Fines and unexpected fees include parking tickets, library fines and penalties for not dropping classes properly.
Some students, especially freshmen, do not know about the fines until they are in that situation.
Sceva Cummings, a former student at the university, did not know about the penalty for dropping a class. She was shocked when she removed a chemistry class from her schedule, and received only a 25 percent return on her tuition for the class.
"I was in the class for maybe two weeks before I decided that it was going to be too much for me," she said. "I was taking a biology course at the same time, and it would have been difficult to handle both classes."
Cummings was a third semester freshman at the time of the incident and said she had no knowledge of the penalty until it happened to her.
"I never dropped another class after that," said Cummings.
The University of Memphis policy on dropping classes says that a student accepts responsibility for fees by registering. The University will not automatically drop students who do not attend classes. It is up to students to cancel the registration by dropping the class, before the first day of class, to keep from owing any fines and to receive a 100 percent refund on tuition for that class.
Any time students drop classes after the first day, refunds dwindle to 75 percent, then 25 percent, before finally no refund is available.
Carol Warren, an official from the bursar's office, said she believes this is a fair policy for students.
"Some classes don't have many seats to begin with," she said. "If a student holds the class, and does not drop it, that keeps someone else from getting the class."
Students may appeal the policy, established by the Tennessee Board of Regents. Students must fill out a written appeal and the bursar's office rules on whether or not there is just cause to dismiss the fine. If unsatisfied with the bursar's decision, the student can appeal all the way up to the Vice President of Business and Finance.
However, Warren cautions students that there is nothing in writing to uphold appeals.
"There must be mitigating circumstances in order for that student to get a refund," she said. "But every case is looked at individually."
Warren said the bursar's office is attempting to cut down on the occurrences of such situations by informing students and parents in new student orientation sessions
"We don't want to penalize students," said Warren. "We provide good care thru the orientation process. Hopefully students will make wise choices to start with or they will have the proper information to help them."
Other serious fines can result when students violate parking procedures. Illegal parking can result in fines ranging from $10.00 - $100.00 or towing of vehicles.
Although parking spaces can be hard to find, there are options available to students.
Residents can purchase gated parking for as little as $25 per semester. Non-residents can get priority parking and garage access for $72 per semester. Evening access is $25 per semester for non-residents.
Students may appeal traffic fines and citations using forms issued by the Parking Office, Office of Judicial Affairs, or the Student Government Association office.
Fines for late or non-returned books can become substantial. Campus libraries allow prolonged use of books to students. Undergraduates may have up to 35 books for 30 days.
Graduate students may check out up to 50 books for a whole semester.
This is a helpful measure for students with overlapping assignments, however scholars are encouraged to return the books on time. Late fees start at 10 cents a day and The University charges students for books overdue for a month or more.
Non-payment of fines can result in grades being withheld, denial of registration for the next semester and a hold being placed on grade transcripts.
Students may make payments at the bursar's office Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
