Due to budget adjustments and decisions made by human resources, students face difficulty as various programs and job opportunities are being dwindled down. Facing these challenges produces an uneasy feeling both for students and staff with the responsibility of hiring students. Budget cuts lead to programs making decisions with a smaller pool of money, hours, and employees.
Theatre
The Box Office in the Freed Center is one example of a program learning to adjust. Tricia Calver, Theatre Director, explains “Over the last seven years, our number of student employment hours decreased from over 8,000 hours per year to under 3,500 hours for this year.”
The overall hours have not been the only result in a substantial decrease: “For the Freed Center, our student employment budget decreased from $37,151 last academic year to $33,800 this year.”
The program’s student employment has been hit with a 56% decrease in total hours over the past seven years and a 9% decrease in budget since last year.
Infographic comparing hours and budget (Northern Review graphic/Cade Higgins)
Managers are now placed in a position to be much more strategic of when to schedule the students to work as a result of hours being cut. Calver responds to how students and employers are being impacted: “We’re trying to utilize more volunteers for ushers and some students have found other jobs which divide their time and ability to be available for on-campus employment.”
The aftermath of cutting hours, budget, and opportunity leads to students having to branch out and find a job elsewhere or simply be left without a job, which could cause panic and stress. Mrs. Calver and the theatre program are keeping hopes and positivity high despite demanding times.
“Just like we experienced during the pandemic, we are forced to think more creatively and strategically to adapt. However, we must assure safety and quality is not impacted.”
The Box Office in the Freed Center. Shown is a primary location where students have the opportunity to work and volunteer. (Northern Review photo/Cade Higgins)
Esports
Esports section in the Taft Building. This is where they have their meetings and where the work is done. (Northern Review photo/Cade Higgins)
The Esports program is another that is facing misfortune throughout this wave of new guidelines. The program has had and are still enjoying a good deal of success (Undefeated in MEC play this year in Valorant) since their first days on campus in 2017. Budget cuts have yet to affect program achievement.
A trophy case showing off accomplishments and success over the past few years. (Northern Review photo/Cade Higgins)
Dray Virgo, Esports student assistant, is heavily involved throughout and has had various responsibilities within the program for at least the last year.
In terms of where the program was at that time versus where it is today, Dray explains “we have had our budget cut but we are still competing at a high level after having to lower the number of games being played from 11 to 4.”
The games Esports currently plays are Valorant, Overwatch 2, Rocket League, and League of Legends.
Esports accomplishments and awards over the last 3-4 years. This gives a good idea of what games they play and what they are best at. (Northern Review photo/Cade Higgins)
He mentioned the teams that got cut had the opportunity to later keep playing under the gaming club. In relation to how Dray and the team are being impacted, “It sucked but the majority of us understood why Troy (our director) made the choice. He was not allowed to get any more staff help for the program.”
This is a common theme – less hours, less employees, less opportunities, and less help.
Dray also explained that the team has to depend on volunteers who could at times be unreliable, and that there are less opportunities to travel and be a part of tournaments: “We have to write that stuff into our budget before the year begins.
This holds us back because we can not advance the equipment we need to compete.”
Football Video/Editing
The football program is another that has went through adjustments since last year. This angle has little to do with the usual actors you hear about everyday which consist of the players, coaches, or even the training staff.
Chase Coburn attends football games and can be found somewhere with his camera anxiously awaiting for something big to happen. Chase produces highlight videos and shares them on ONU’s football social media pages – which he is also the account manager.
“My job is to pretty much create content for the football team.” Coburn said after being asked about his role.
Chase takes pride in his work while also noting the importance of collaboration and team work “We all put our heads together and brainstorm to see what’s working, what’s not working”
Last year, he worked between 20-30 hours weekly. This comes from practices, editing videos, and attending team workouts. This year, his hours, just like everyone else’s, have been limited to 20 per week.
After asking if working less affects him, “I am much more proficient this year” Chase works less hours, yes, but has worked on his craft to become improved with less overall opportunity. Quality over quantity as one would say.
Find the entire interview here (starting at 3:45, Chase explains the differences from last year) Interview with Chase Coburn (10/26)
Programs and organizations are being tested due to tweaks in budget and numerous cuts. The people within these organizations have battled through the adversity and remain optimistic and confident as money, hours, and time becomes ever so tight. Teamwork, collaboration, and selflessness has become a priority to resist any further complications.