University art students have grown suspicious of how their money is being used after news of illegal student fees administered within the School of Art.
Former University faculty member Margaret Herster filed suit against the School of Art on Jan. 22, claiming misuse of student fees and accusing school Director Rod Parker of denying her equal pay and advancement because of her gender, The Times-Picayune reported Friday.
In a letter written to University officials in February 2012, Herster said Parker and other art school faculty were aware of the unlawful collection of fees and misappropriated student money averaging $28,000 annually, none of which was authorized by the University’s Board of Supervisors, according to The Times-Picayune.
The school conducted an internal audit in response to Herster’s letter that confirmed her claims and revealed additional unauthorized purchases made with student fee revenue, bringing the total amount of misused funds to $130,000.
Graphic design junior Rebecca Kelt is one of many art students upset after learning about the unauthorized purchases made with student fee revenues.
“We want to know how much money they actually spend on supplies,” Kelt said. “I’m kind of pissed about it, honestly. Thinking about it more, I’m wondering where my money’s actually going.”
Printmaking senior Katherine Santana said many courses she enrolled in had expensive course fees in addition to requirements for pricey equipment like high resolution digital cameras.
“I definitely don’t like my money taken from me and spent frivolously,” Santana said. “Sometimes it was like $70 or $80, and I never saw where that money was going. I can definitely see the funds being misused.
Kelt said she thought her student fees were going toward her education – school supplies, equipment and renovations to the Art and Design buildings.
“I know LSU is known to be an athletic school and that Art and Design is not the most prestigious college to be a part of here in Louisiana, but damn, I’m not paying for a good football team or the honor of having the LSU name on my diploma,” Kelt said. “I’m paying for an education, or at least I thought I was.”
“I’m kind of pissed about it honestly. Thinking about it more, I’m wondering where my money’s actually going.”
