Drew University recently made major budget cuts that affected student employment. The school changed student work schedules, and some students lost their jobs entirely.
The budget cuts affected positions in the Center for Academic Excellence and University Writing Center, as well as the Ehinger Center front desk position, which was completely eliminated.
Administration cut student workers’ hours without proper notice and rejected students’ requests for more hours. At this time, Student Employment has not responded when asked to comment. The Acorn sent a request for a comment over a month ago.
The Drew Acorn received an email from an anonymous source that President Hilary Link sent to all faculty to explain the changes taking place to ensure Drew’s future financial stability. In the email, Link described changes in the hiring processes for both faculty workers and student employees.
“Beginning immediately, the Cabinet will be working with Human Resources to closely monitor our student employment spending, which has increased in the past few years. With the mandatory wage increase effective January 1, 2024, some positions will have to be cut or hours reduced. Cabinet members will be having individual conversations with student supervisors and those requesting student employees. Student positions supported by restricted funds are included in this review,” she wrote.
In the email, Link also wrote, “Budget Directors have received information about next year’s call, but I want to make sure everyone is aware of the immediate targeted budget reductions we must implement, for the remainder of [the 2024 fiscal year] (i.e., immediately).”
In terms of hiring changes for faculty, she stated, “A Position Review Committee is being established; this committee will be responsible for reviewing all hiring requests for staff, including those that are replacements for an employee who has left the University and temporary hires. It should not be assumed that a vacant position will be filled. Additionally, this committee will review all salary adjustment requests and considerations.”
As of now, the exact number of people who were let go is unknown, as well as the extent of the budget cuts. Student workers’ wages rose from $12 to $12.86 due to a scheduled minimum wage increase by the state of New Jersey in January. Administrators did not inform student workers of this wage increase.
Despite being lower than the minimum wage of $15.13 in New Jersey, this wage is legal according to federal law. According to the Federal Fair Labor Act, “Certain employers, including…colleges and universities, are permitted to pay full-time students as little as 85% of the minimum wage as long as they are registered students (the business must get a certificate allowing them to do so from the Department of Labor under the ‘Full-Time Student Program’).”
Some students dealt with the change by speaking their voice and working with administration and employers on campus.
Discussing her experience with student employment scheduling this semester, Charlotte Wells (’24) wrote, “My issues were more actually based upon availability and scheduling, and I ended up receiving more hours after working with them on that issue.”
It seems that the admissions department has not been affected by the budget cuts. They are still actively hiring and appear not to have had any issues even though employees throughout campus have been laid off.
Nina Grace is a sophomore majoring in art history and minoring in museum studies and cultural management.
Featured image courtesy of Pexels.com.
