Double Cheeseburger at McDonald’s: $1.19
Double Cheeseburger at McDonald’s in the Student Union: $1.59
Hamburger in Tiger Stadium: $4.
Knowing you’re being violated by money-grubbing corporations and associations like textbook sellers, Campus Apartments and McDonald’s every day of your academic career: Priceless.
Well, actually it does have a price, but that’s not how those fun Mastercard commercials end, is it?
From tuition, to mandatory fees, to living and food establishments, college students are being vigorously screwed by these greedy bastards looking to make a quick buck.
And I, for one, am tired of it.
While there can’t be a proper solution to every over-expensive problem, students can take control of the situation and help drastically affect it.
The basic needs of students in college can be boiled down to tuition, books, costs of living and food — usually in that order.
Unfortunately, tuition and fees are one of those things which students can’t really control. The state and University are going through some hard times financially, and their response has been increased tuition and fees.
However, students should educate themselves as to what their fees are going toward and fully utilize those services to justify the cost.
While it’s safe to say almost every student enrolled at the University has a laptop, as it’s basically an unwritten necessity, or has access to one of the many computers around campus, it makes too much sense to mass market textbooks in a digital form.
The LSU Bookstore’s book sellers thrive on taking advantage of naïve students. Many students don’t know of other, cheaper alternatives out there.
While it can easily be argued the on-campus bookstore is providing students a convenient place to shop — and even offers 5 percent off if you pay with TigerCash  — there are much cheaper alternatives online.
Sure, you have to wait for it to ship, but websites like Amazon offer “FREE Super Saver Shipping”  on some orders over $25 and even provide students free trials to Amazon Prime, which offers unlimited free two-day shipping.
And when it comes to living, there are many options for students around campus, some better than others.
Of course, there’s always the option of living cheap in the slums of Tigerland, but unless you’re a constant partier with nothing better to do than pick up desperate high school girls from the bars, the noise and distractions may be a little much.
However, moving closer to campus may not be the best solution either.
Apartments around campus like The Venue at Northgate, Campus Crossings at Highland and Campus Crossings at Brightside are owned by the large corporation Campus Apartments.
Take it from a former Venue resident — Campus Apartments has the ability to send prices sky high while providing horrible service and fine print regarding security deposits and renewel rates so thin you’d need the Hubble to read it. And they can do this because of their proximity to campus.
Unless you (or your parents) have money pouring from your eyeballs, don’t necessarily take the first “cool” venue you visit. There are plenty of nice, affordable apartments on the outskirts of campus.
Sure, you may have to ride your bike or take the bus, but a little exercise never hurt anybody. Plus, since you’re paying a yearly fee for the latter, you might as well use it.
Finally there’s the grub.
There are plenty of eating establishments on and around campus, but one in particular burns my McNuggets every time I walk by.
Not only does the McDonald’s in the Union not have a dollar menu, but some items are more expensive than at any other McDonald’s around town.
The Union McDonald’s can charge whatever it wants and get away with it because people will pay no matter what. While the simple solution would be to boycott, it would be highly unfeasible to
organize a 30,000-student boycott.
Instead, students should only order items on campus that offer seemingly reasonable prices.
Just because something is convenient and close by doesn’t mean it’s the best option.
It’s good to buy locally and help boost our economy, but it isn’t good to be royally screwed without consent.
That’s called rape.
Know your options, do your research and spend wisely, and you won’t have to settle for being violated by a smiling clown.
Adam Arinder is a 20-year-old communication studies senior from Baton Rouge. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_aarinder.
 
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Contact Adam Arinder at
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