Students already dealing with the costs associated with attending college are beginning to re-examine the cost of joining some of Vanderbilt's honor societies.

Vanderbilt has numerous honor societies that recognize students for exemplary academic records, leadership abilities, and community and civic engagement. While many regard it as an honor to be invited to join such societies, most have required dues, which can be $50 or more.

Students are often told upon invitation that by joining they will be able to participate in exclusive activities such as networking events and charitable outreach. Several students became frustrated, however, when after paying the society's dues, they hear nothing else from the organization. Such occurrences cause students to question the worth of such societies, especially in a time of economic cutbacks.

Junior Laura Nemer, a member of three honor societies on campus, said she has found both satisfaction and disappointment in her involvement in the groups.

"I am in the Athenians, and we have done a couple of events and have meetings throughout the year. The other two, I have heard back that I got in, paid my dues and haven't heard back anything from them," Nemer said.

Still, sophomore Xinyue Liang, a member of four honor societies, said it was worth it for her to pay the dues, even if she has not heard back from the society.

"I think they are a good way to make connections with people across the country or to put on a resume so employers will understand that you have a certain academic standing," Liang said.

Shay Malone, assistant director at Office of Leadership Development and Intercultural Affairs, said honor societies in general follow through with their members.

"Honoraries are structured like any student organization. Each year and each honorary class is different and some may do more than others," Malone said.

Some feel that it is also up to the student to make the experience in the group worthwhile. According to Cindy Funk, director of the Vanderbilt Career Center, involvement in honor societies is worth it if the student feels that they were engaged and involved in the society.

"I think it depends on what the student is interested in gaining from the experience, if it is an active society that the student will be able to do a lot with, then it is probably worth it," Funk said. "How the society is reflected is really important. If you didn't gain anything from membership and you can't talk about it, it's not worth it to put it on the resume."

Nemer said she agrees.

"I put the societies I didn't do anything with on my resume for a while, but eventually took them off because I don't think I gained anything from them. I don't have anything to say about them except that I joined," she said.

According to Malone and Funk, honor societies can be a good investment for students as long as they are actively involved and the student feels he or she gained from it. It is up to the student, Funk says, to determine how much value to place on involvement.

While honor societies can be a good investment for those who are actively involved and who feel they benefited from the experience, others are still unsure about whether the investment is worth it due to such stories of inactivity.

Sophomore Eliza Horn said she thinks the cost of dues is too steep for the few benefits membership offers.

"In a time where money is so tight, I am not sure I want to lay down $50 just to pad my resume," Horn said.