By Victoria Cruz
Contributor
Since last semester, student employees at the on-campus Dunkin’ location have faced significant reductions in their work hours. This issue raises concern among students about the scheduling practices of Sodexo, the managing company responsible for executing the food services program here on campus.
Student employees returned from winter break to find their hours had been drastically reduced with no prior notice. Healthcare studies major Kenese Spence, a sophomore, was one of these students.
“The employees came back the first day, walked in and we were told our hours were cut,” Spence said. “I had 18 hours last semester and now I have seven hours.”
She also raised concerns about understaffing. Spence said that on average only two students are working during business hours.
Addtionally, only one student is responsible for the closing and opening shifts.
Graphic design major Nichole Stuart, a sophomore, said her hours were cut from 20 to three hours without any notice.
“My supervisor was upset because I didn’t get notice; the union workers are having issues too,” Stuart said. “We tell upper management about issues and how I have to work by myself sometimes.”
Healthcare studies major Khabyra Alston Kennie, a sophomore, and former Dunkin’ employee, said the same happened to her.
“I quit because towards the end of my time they cut my hours, I was working 14 hours every week, and then they cut my hours from 14 to four,” Kennie said. “They didn’t tell me or anyone, they just posted a new schedule and I found out through word of mouth. Everyone’s hours got cut.”
Students are reporting long wait times of 30-45 minutes that stem from understaffing. Spence mentioned that student employees have raised concerns to Sodexo.
“Every time we bring it up, Sodexo says it’s being worked on, but where is the solution?” Spence said. “Students complain a lot about the line being long.”
Sodexo handles the hiring and scheduling of Dunkin’.
According to its contract with the university, Sodexo requires approximately 20% of its workforce to be student employees.
Robert DeMezzo, Senior Director of Conferences, Events and Student Affairs Auxiliaries, acknowledged that student concerns were being raised at the beginning of the semester and were brought up with Sodexo’s upper management.
“I heard it was short notice so I asked Sodexo, is it true students were coming back to find out they don’t have hours? I’ll be honest I cannot confirm what students experience but I do know that hours were given to students after that conversation, and they said they were not done with their scheduling,” DeMezzo said. “Students were saying things that Sodexo was not saying, but ultimately Sodexo is the schedule keeper.”
Sodexo must operate within the financial model set by the university
This includes balancing staffing levels based on available funding that comes from student meal plans.
The office offered to select student employees the opportunity to work in different departments for those who voiced their concerns.
This was following Sodexo’s lack of action after questioning from student workers and university officials.
As student workers continue to navigate these changes, concerns remain about scheduling transparency, employee communication and the broader impact on student employment opportunities on campus under Sodexo
