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build the networking and employment experience necessary for future careers.
However, in the case of a U of L policy limiting the number of positions a student could hold within the university at any one time, the school should be applauded for undoing something, rather than doing it.
The human resources department realized the error it made by imposing this limit, and pulled the wrench out of the gears by repealing the rule late last week.
Earlier this summer, the university began limiting student workers to holding no more than two university positions or working no more than 30 hours per week, whichever came first. Interim Association Vice President for Human Resources John Ralston said the new policy was an effort to comply with federal tax regulations.
Still, the policy, which was referred to as an effort to help keep students’ academic performance from suffering, went about meeting its goal the wrong way. Instead of creating a solution that would benefit both student workers and university departments, Human Resources simply put limits into place that seemed impractical for student workers and employers. And because of that, both the students and the departments suffered.
Many departments like REACH, an on-campus academic support center for students, as well as Housing and Residence Life and athletics, employ student workers to fill a variety of temporary and part-time positions. Limiting students to two positions meant that university departments would possibly have to recruit additional student workers to fill open spaces. On the other hand, without the policy in place, one student worker could divide his or her time between multiple positions within one department, or within several different departments.
Some students who depended on university jobs for income may have been forced to seek employment off campus. As REACH Director Cathy Leist said, “This may have an impact on the retention of these students by forcing them off campus and away from the academic and social resources that contribute to being a successful student here at U of L.”
Now, only a 30-hour limit on the time a student works remains in place. And for some students, this may help ensure good academic performance.
But for others, a blanket policy like this may still send some to seek work elsewhere. Because of the number of students wearing so many different hats-student, caregiver, parent, breadwinner, to name a few-it may be hard for some to pay for school and meet other financial obligations while only working 30 hours per week as student workers.
Unfortunately, local, state and federal guidelines may leave the university with little room to move when it comes to helping these students.
Working more than 30 hours per week could push workers into full-time employee status, meaning the university would have to offer more pay and, in some cases, benefits for these employees.
Comparatively, the 30-hour cap is a better policy than what students at some other universities must work around, especially those participating in work-study programs. Some schools, in fact, limit part-time student workers to no more than 20-29 hours per week.
It’s obvious that the university is striving to compromise on this unpopular policy. With such a large number of non-traditional students, imposing financial limitations seems out of the question and should certainly be addressed. But, at the same time, students should realize that efforts are being made to rectify the situation.
