Work study is serious business
Campus Times
December 6, 1996
Cartoon by Stephanie Lesniak
Work study offers student the opportunity to help pay for their education
while working on campus. Unfortunately, the problems that plague work study
are vast and unchanging.
One major problem is that many students do not regard their work study
as viable jobs and treat them as they would a class.
Donna Kent, assistant director of financial aid, said, "Some students
don't look at work study as a valuable experience, they think it is a time
for them to do homework."
A goal of work study is to teach students the responsibilities of having
a job, by, first, showing up and, second, by doing their stated work.
"It is my responsibility to help students to learn how to work.
But I can't teach them if they don't stay or if they don't come," said
Dr. Marlin Heckman, head librarian.
Work study is designed to benefit both the acting employer and the acting
employee. The benefits to the student are limitless. Students have a say
in which area they would like to work. A student, who is granted work study
via financial aid is guaranteed a job. It is unrealistic for students to
demand and expect such results at Macy's or McDonald's. Another benefit
to students is that their positions are on campus, therefore there is accessibility
anytime.
Dr. Heckman said that many of his students disregard their positions
by not showing up, not calling and not finishing out their assignments.
"We're desperate," said Dr. Heckman, "because we run
on student help. The problem is that people want the library to be open
all the time, but no one wants to work."
Another problem with work study is the allotment of student workers.
For example, the polarization between student employment at the Library
and the Student Center is vast. The Wilson Library is allotted 22 work study
students, but has been granted up to 38. At the time being, there are only
25 student workers. The Student Center has 15 to 17 student employees. During
this precious time of finals week ahead, it would seem that many students
will need the assistance of the library and may have trouble finding a staff
member to help them research material for a term paper but will go to the
Student Center and see several student employees making signs for Joe's
birthday. This said, the Student Center is also a viable place for the University
and needs constant staffing.
Melissa Jaunal, coordinator of student programs, stresses to her work
study students that their position will be like a job, and they can use
her for a reference or, to the other extreme, they can be fired for an unsatisfactory
performance.
She said she has not terminated many people, but said students do like
to "test the water."
Kent said she stresses to work study students the value and benefits
a job on campus has and how important the experience will be later on.
"It is a tool for teaching. It is another aspect of education.
But, it is up to the student to treat it as a job," she said. "A
student learns responsibility in a non-threatening way. They learn firsthand
office protocol."
Work study is both a job and a privilege. It offers more benefits than
an ordinary job, and allows each employee a taste of the professional working
world. No matter where their duties fall or how hard their workload may
be, students should take full advantage of this very unique opportunity.