2008 Woodie Awards
SHU salaries: too much or too little?
Rachelle Murphy
Issue date: 1/26/06 Section: Perspectives
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The salaries that they make, do not often reflect the employees effort they put into their jobs. Since the cost of tuition is around $33,000, about 1,500 students, who are eligible for a work-study position, choose to participate in the program.
The positions range from working in local elementary schools to laboratory assistants, and even working in The Factory. Work study students are paid minimum wage which was raised, by Conn., this month to $7.40 per hour.
Some students think that minimum wage is not enough for the work being done.
"I do not think that minimum wage is enough," said Kim Russo, freshman, Wayne, N.J.
She works at the Hallen Elementary School in Bridgeport. Russo said that the amount she gets paid, does not reflect the amount of work she puts forth.
"I do not get paid enough," said Russo.
Because of the stressful nature of Russo's work study position, her wage should represent the amount of work she has done. Russo works in a busy fourth grade classroom. She works with children who do not pay attention, constantly cause trouble, and do not care about school.
Another job on campus is the Resident Assistant position. RA's must enforce all university and residential life policies. They deal with anything ranging from roommate conflicts to alcohol violations, and also more sensitive issues such as depression.
RA's get paid in a scholarship form. Resident Assistants are on call 24 hours a day. Since RAs are on call all day, many incidents occur.
The majority of incidents happen when least expected. Some RAs feel as though they deserve more money based on the amount of work contributed.
"The job is very rewarding, but there are times where you feel like you aren't getting paid justly," said Chris Williams, junior, New Rochelle, N.Y.
Another part of the SHU community who are hard working and helpful to all are the Graduate Assistants. They are an integral and important part of Sacred Heart. They work in admissions, residential life, public safety, and various other departments on campus.