With USC encouraging students leaving for Spring Break to stay off campus until April 14, some students with federal work-study are concerned about how they are going to support themselves financially.
“It’s super unfortunate because there are a lot of people who don’t live near here and aren’t planning on staying or have already left to go home,” said Sofia Santoro, a sophomore studying health promotion and disease prevention. “They won’t be working, or they won’t have any income.”
Santoro works as a circulation desk employee at Leavey Library. She said the library has made work “optional” for those who will be on campus, but will not have any remote opportunities for students.
While Santoro, who will not be on campus in the coming weeks, does not think she will be affected by this in the short term, it might cause hassles in the long run.
“I think in the long term it’s a little concerning because when I get my paycheck, I use some of it for going out to eat or buying groceries and toilet paper,” she said. “I try to save a little bit every paycheck, too, which will go to tuition next semester, next year.”
For some students, their work-study job is their only source of income. The new guidelines from the university would greatly affect them.
“I rely on [work study] a lot because it is my main source of income and I’m responsible for buying my own food and buying my own stuff every month,” said Katlyne Stiles, a senior studying health promotion and disease prevention.
Stiles works as an elementary school tutor through the Joint Educational Project (JEP) house. She was told the JEP house would look into remote options for work, but that she would not be able to physically tutor at the schools anymore due to the risks associated with the coronavirus.
If she cannot continue her work-study job, Stiles will search for another job, even though she said it is an inconvenience.
“Work study is so convenient because they understand the student struggle and it’s more difficult trying to find another job,” Stiles said.
Bridget Lee, a sophomore human biology major, also said she depends on her work-study job as her only source of income.
“It really helps me get through my day to day expenses,” said Lee, who works at the Michelson Center. “I have no other income otherwise.”
Lee is also returning home under the university’s guidance. She said it affects her a lot, as she does not have a job at home and was told she could not return to her work-study job.
Lee hopes USC compensates students for this time.
“There are a lot of things students are worried about,” she said. “Are we going to get money back for housing and food?”
Gordon Stables, the director of the Annenberg School of Journalism, said Annenberg is doing all it can in order to support its students.
“Annenberg supervisors, for example, are already working to ensure student workers are supported during this online phase, including providing opportunities for students to complete their work-study assignments remotely,” Stables said in an email to Annenberg Media.
Other schools are preparing for the university's guidance regarding student workers.
“As I understand the situation, senior leadership at the university level is still working on a decision regarding work study students. We at Marshall will follow that decision when we get it,” Marshall School of Business wrote in a statement to Annenberg Media.
The university is expected to release further information Thursday night.