YSU Students seeking increase in wages

Students feel that YSU's student government isn't working hard enough on their behalf.
By IAN HILL
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- You won't see Dr. David C. Sweet portrayed as Satan at next week's "students' state of the university address" at Youngstown State University.
You will, however, hear how Sweet's salary as YSU president compares to the salary of student employees at the university.
That's one of the issues that members of the Youngstown Students Peace Action Network plan to talk about during the event, from 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 17 at the rock in front of Kilcawley Center. About 15 students and Y-SPAN members met Wednesday night to plan the event.
They said they hope to raise awareness of issues that need to be addressed at the university.
On Sept. 25, the YSU trustees voted to increase Sweet's salary from $192,000 to $203,520. Sweet's annual housing increase also was increased from $36,000 to $50,000, and he receives a $7,200 annual car allowance.
Y-SPAN members said the university pays most student workers $5.15 an hour. They added that they feel many of the university's contract employees, such as custodial staff, aren't paid a fair wage.
Y-SPAN member Jacob Harver stressed that the organization does not want to paint Sweet as Satan. Harver is a freshman history major from Youngstown.
Lessley Harmon, a junior religious studies major from Youngstown, noted that Sweet's support is needed to get a fair wage for student workers.
Sweet has said he supports the students' right to free expression.
Hannah Foster, a sophomore sociology major from Delaware, added, however, that she thinks the university is "practically using sweatshop labor." Foster added that she believes the issue of student wages could help bring students together in an effort to improve the university.
Dividing the blame
Students also noted that they believe the state and federal governments are responsible for some of the financial woes faced by themselves and their peers. YSU may have a $1.8 million budget shortfall this year, partly because of unexpected proposed state budget cuts.
The Ohio Board of Regents proposed cutting the university's state allocation by $2.9 million, from $44 million to $41.1 million for this year. A final decision on the cuts is expected in November.
At the Oct. 17 event, students are expected to give short speeches on four topics: Student grievances, including wages and parking; state and federal funding for higher education; diversity; and on-campus democracy and decision-making.
Several of those at Wednesday's meeting said they felt YSU's student government doesn't work hard enough on behalf of the average student.
"Right now, the student voice is dying, miserably," said Jewelia Rodabaugh, a freshman anthropology major from Canfield.
The students talked about forming a political party to put pressure on student government.
hill@vindy.com