Flor Covarrabias, cashier at the Owl Bookstore, sets up balloons to welcome the new fall semester at Citrus College. (Macy Olivas/Clarion)
Hard work no longer pays off for student workers in the form of periodic wage increases.
…because there are none.
The Board of Trustees’ recent decision during the summer to freeze student worker salaries at minimum wage is a disincentive and disservice to the campus community.
Prior to the board’s decision, students who worked on campus were eligible for periodic pay raises based on the number of semesters they had served on the job.
By eliminating periodic wage increases for diligent student-workers who wish to continue their on-campus employment, the board has essentially lowered the bar.
The public system of higher education in California is funded by the taxpayers under the premise that we are cultivating the future leaders of industry and service. Most students must work at least part-time while attending school to make ends meet.
Students who choose to work on campus enjoy more flexible schedules and close proximity to the classrooms.
Now these advantages must be weighed against this nearsighted decision to limit student workers to a minimum wage rate that is increasingly inadequate in a state that has one of the highest costs of living in the nation.
At a wage rate not far from the poverty line, many students may eventually have to decide to leave college prematurely to support themselves rather than continue to pursue a degree.
The decision leaves a large contingent of student workers on campus feeling bitter.
Many have been raised to believe that continued employment and positive performance reviews should equate to periodic pay raises.
What’s more, the vote to freeze student salaries was taken during an official meeting in July between the spring semester and summer session as to avoid as much negative feedback as possible.
The policy was passed with little to no input from the Associated Students of Citrus College. Student government officers were elected and/or appointed to protect the interests of the students in accordance with the college’s system of shared governance.
According to several members of the ASCC executive board, the students were not asked for their recommendation on the policy change or even informed that it would go to vote while school was out of session.
Student workers who are upset will now have to call upon a new ASCC executive board to voice their concerns over the wage freeze.
They will look to their student government leaders to begin dialogue with the Board of Trustees to either rescind or reform the policy change.
ASCC officers should seek clarification from the Board of Trustees on their reasoning, and communicate their findings to the student body to formulate an effective remedy.
The board should also disclose the facts and concerns that led to the policy change.
The students have a right to know in our system of shared governance.
