The senior board of The Polytechnic recently received an e-mail from a freshman who asked how to get the most out of their activity fee. Considering that you could buy your textbooks for a semester with the $445.50 that undergraduates are required to pay for their activity fee this year, it’s a reasonable question that both freshman and upperclassmen ask themselves every year.
The activity fee is used in various ways. Most obviously, it’s used to fund over 130 clubs in the Union, most of which are free to join. Become a member of one or many. If they aren’t, they only require you to pay a minimal fee in addition to the activity fee. You should definitely join at least one of the many clubs available. With so many options, there’s something for everyone.
If you don’t want to join a club, there are still many ways to get something for the money you paid. The Union subsidizes intramural and some varsity sports. Join a team. If you aren’t competitive, the intramural program sponsors competitions for all different levels of play. If you aren’t an athlete, you can at least attend the games and cheer on our athletes.
Additionally, the Union sponsors many different shows and programs. There is a Union Speakers Forum that brings a variety of speakers to the Union. Last year, we got to hear Jerry of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream and Mo Rocca from The Daily Show speak. In addition, the Union sponsors the RPI Players who put on several performances each year which RPI students can see at a discount. UPAC Cinema shows movies every weekend for only $2.50 while UPAC Concerts puts on many free and discounted shows during the year all thanks to your activity fee. You could attend these events.
In its newly released survey, The Princeton Review ranked RPI as number one in its “Most things to do on campus” category. You’ve already paid your activity fee. It would be to your advantage to make good use of it by joining a club or athletic team or attending concerts or shows, rather than just sitting in your room. Most of us will only be here for four years, so learn to take advantage of the opportunities available early in your academic career.
