By Jonathan Seltzer
Staff Writer
LIU Post has recently faced a number of cutbacks in student work hours on campus. Student reactions to cutbacks was fearful and pessimistic, with little exception.
Shannon Namigohar, a senior Education major who is minoring in Psychology, works four hours a week as a teacher’s assistant at Post’s Center for Gifted Youth. “I work on campus and they’re going to cut my hours in the fall. It’s terrible. They make tuition so high and then expect to make our wages minimum wage. No one can afford anything on minimum wage.” She questioned why the lack of university funding has hit the students, “Why is it our fault that they have to cut the budget?”
Ryan Cantar, a junior Digital Art Design major, recently lost a work-study position with the Center for Student Information (CSI). “Because of the budget cuts, I lost my work-study so I had to find a job off campus at Toys “R” Us. As a commuter, that’s a lot of expended gasoline. It’s annoying to know that I had the job, but I lost it with no warning. They didn’t tell me why or anything,” he said.
Laura Sherman, a junior Digital Arts Design major, recently acquired a position in the office of Student Life. “I make posters for Student Life now. I am excited for this job opportunity. It will improve my portfolio and give me something to put on my resume. Hopefully the budget cuts won’t affect my job because I’d hate to lose it before I start. I was hired two days ago,” she said.
Jerrome Warden, a graduate Theatre Performance major, works on campus as a Resident Assistant (RA). Warden’s stipend might be reduced from $200 to an undeclared amount. Nevertheless, Warden is thankful for being able to keep a position at Post that pays for the full amount of his room and board. He explained, “There have been rumors of cuts for monthly stipends, which we hope that there isn’t because RAs do so much. I know many students are finding work off campus because the financial stability is not here yet.
A lot of students are out of state or country, so if they need to fly home that can get pretty expensive. As long as they keep room and board [coverage for RAs], it’ll be a great opportunity for out of state or international students.”
Christopher Fevola, vice president for Finance at LIU, would not comment on how many student workers will be affected by the cutbacks. “The University’s reorganization activities have focused on improving the efficiency, effectiveness, and levels of quality provided in key student service areas. It is not the University’s practice to discuss or publish specific personnel information,” Fevola said. “However, we believe the launch of LIU Promise and Enrollment Services, and our commitment to maximum 2 percent tuition rate increases through 2020, exemplify the positive effects of reexamining the student experience and the affordability of a quality education at LIU.”
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