For students taking classes in the Gordon Ford College of Business, fees are stacking up by the credit hour. 

Beginning this year, as part of a program to enhance the business and economic departments, there will be a $15 fee per credit hour attached to every class housed in Gordon Ford. 

These fees will cover the resources needed in today’s job market to make WKU students more desirable and prepared as they enter the work force, according to the website for Gordon Ford.

The dean of Gordon Ford, Jeffrey Katz, initiated a task force headed by Michelle Trawick, the associate dean for faculty, administration, employers in the business field and students within Gordon Ford, to evaluate what resources were needed in the college. 

These resources include free tutoring, job fairs, internships and an enhancement of the brand image of Gordon Ford. 

The committee looked at other institutions for guidance on how to provide these resources. The implementation of fees was proven to be the best and most effective option. 

Many of these resources, such as internship and communication coordinators, will be put into place and made available to students during the fall semester. 

Gordon Emslie, the former provost and vice president for academic affairs, said the fee goes toward providing services for students and making faculty selection more competitive. He said the fees are expected to generate about $600,000 to address a number of needs in Gordon Ford. 

“It’s not entirely clear exactly how it’s going to be spent yet. It won’t be spent all at once; it will slowly be addressed,” Emslie said. 

Katz has created a committee to evaluate the ways the fees are being used and to make sure the money is being used for its intended purposes. 

Although more money is being paid out of pocket, the benefits the added fees will create outweigh the cons, said Kristen Curtiss, Oldham County sophomore and mathematical economics major.

“I believe these new resources will better my education,” Curtiss said. “Though it is more money spent, if it helps me receive internships and additional aid while taking economic classes, I do believe that it is well worth it.”