Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News) – The cost for Syracuse University student employees just got that much harder amid campus shutdowns. The University transitioned into online learning mid-March as coronavirus continued to infect the nation, leaving many students without their part-time campus jobs.
SU offers students part time employment through their work study program. Students are giving both on and off-campus opportunities, some of which include: food services, tutoring, or teaching assistance.
Sophomore Grayson Jenkins is a teaching assistant for the popular beer and wine appreciation course offered by Falk College, and is just one of many impacted by the move away from campus.
Jenkins says he depends on that income to support his student life spending, and uses it to pay for things like groceries, gas, and rent.
Student employees were given two weeks pay of non-work after departing from campus. Still, this does not cover the additional five weeks of pay that would have been received if on campus.
Many students can not return to or apply to new jobs, depending on the severity of the virus in their area. For Jenkins, finding some extra cash in Philadelphia is not worth the risk.
“It makes no sense for me to try and go out and get a job with all this going on,” he says. Exposing myself to more would be the last thing I want to do.”
The SU Office of Student Employment says there will be virtual work study opportunities if campus remains closed in the Fall. Though it is too early to determine if those jobs will be necessary. For now, students are hopeful that the virus will soon settle and they can return to normal life.
