Ohio University student workers will begin 2017 with the option of clocking more hours on campus.
The worker hour increase, effective Jan. 1, creates the opportunity for students to work up to 25 hours per week at on-campus jobs.
Last semester, student workers were limited to 20 hours per week, according to a presentation by the Budget Planning Council to Student Senate. The worker hour increase was initiated by Student Senate beginning last academic year to help accommodate “how expensive the cost of college can be,” Student Senate President Hannah Clouser said.
“I think the worker increase will make it easier for students with lesser schedules to earn money to pay off loans,” Alexis Ronevich, a junior studying communication sciences and disorders and an employee at The District on West Green, said. “I am excited to have that opportunity because I need to save up money for when I graduate.”
The ability to make more money is an asset for college students, who often need to use their free time to pay off debts, Ronevich said.
Some other workers at The District support the increase of hours. One of those workers is Erika Matie, a freshman studying pre-social work who is also employed at The District. She said working the additional hours will help her when she finds herself short on money.
“I personally like the increase,” she said. “I find myself in situations where I have to pay for my car or make loan payments, and sometimes I don’t have enough money, so this will help me pick up more hours and be able to make more money.”
Haley Snowden, a junior studying screenwriting and producing, said she typically worked the maximum weekly hours at Event Services before the limit was increased.
“Personally, there were some weeks where I felt I could do more with my time, but because of the 20-hour limit, I wasn’t able to,” Snowden said. “I think it’ll give me the opportunity to help pay for college and give me more to do.”
Students who work 20 hours per week tend to be more engaged than students who do not work at all, according to a report published by Inside Higher Ed.
“When I’m busy, I do better in school,” Snowden said. “I’m a working person, so I guess that extra couple hours will help.”
The American Association of University Professors recommends students work 10 to 15 hours per week. Therefore, the choice to work 25 hours per week is left to students who feel up to the challenge.
“I will be working 12 to 15 hours a week,” Ronevich said. “However, I do plan on picking up shifts when I have the time. The increase has made it easier to drop and pick up shifts in the dining hall.”
Clouser said she is unaware of any individuals who have already chosen to take on the maximum amount of hours because all students have just recently returned for Spring Semester.
“But I’m looking forward to see students take advantage of the opportunity when classes begin,” she said.
