On March 18th, the three hundred and fifty seniors participating in May Term turned in an application in which they proposed an alternative method of learning, outside the traditional classroom setting, for two weeks. Along with their application, they were required to pay an $35 fee upfront.

While the fee is minimal, some believe it could potentially be a detriment to less affluent students. “I actually don’t remember [what the fee is for],” said EHS senior Barnes Murphy who plans to participate in May Term. “I assume that it’s for the coordination of the projects.”

“The fee goes towards the May Term committee’s administrative fees,” explained Melanie Pusateri, an EHS teacher in charge of organizing May Term. “We have a team of teachers, about fifteen teachers that meet, so that helps cover the subs and it helps cover anything that we have to order as far as programs or tables. It also helps cover the administrative costs of any copies and any secretarial staff helping us that is up and beyond their job.”

But does the fee hurt students from families who aren’t as wealthy? According to Angela Kieffer, another EHS teacher who helps organize May Term, the school readily grants scholarships to students in need of financial assistance. “We would never want anyone who couldn’t pay the fee to not be able to participate,” she said.

However, many projects involve overhead costs such as travel or buying equipment  “I suppose that would create a bit of an imbalance,” said Murphy.

The school has also found a way to even the playing field in that regard. “I’d say that more than half of the students who participate in May Term are doing an internship and there isn’t a fee involved in those,” said Kieffer.