Three residence fellows have gone on the record saying they resigned due to grievances with their working conditions. Carleton’s administration needs to take this seriously.
It says something that not one, but three, students felt their jobs were so unsafe they decided walking away from employment and seeking unionization was preferable to continuing working under the current conditions.
Residence fellows, although they do not make additional income, are remunerated with living accommodations and food for one year. For tuition-paying students, walking away from these benefits is no small statement.
The three students who recently resigned said they did so as a last resort. They said they went to Carleton’s housing department, but their concerns were dismissed. One fellow even said she felt pressure from the housing department to resign.
To bypass housing, a unionization effort—a major process—occurred.
Regardless of whether or not the residence fellows are justified in seeking unionization, these events signify that Carleton administration has failed immensely.
These workers play a vital role in student life, and are students themselves. When Carleton is failing students in such a fundamental way, change needs to happen.
The housing department needs to actively listen to residence fellows’ concerns.
Fellows need to feel like they can turn to their employers when they need help without feeling like they will be turned away.
