Budget cuts are not just affecting Fresno State faculty and administration. The cuts are also affecting many student workers, who are now gaining more responsibility at their on-campus jobs.

Christina Vargas, a 21-year-old health science major, has been working as a student assistant for the science department for four years.

Recently her job description as receptionist has changed since she has worked the longest in the department office.

“The assistant manager to my boss retired. Because of the budget cuts, as well as the hiring freeze, I now work more closely to my boss than I usually would,” said Vargas, who originally found her job using the Fresno State Jobs Web site.

Vargas’ job duties consist of copying tests and syllabi, making fliers, putting together the faculty schedule and filing papers.

She is one example of many hard-working student assistants on campus who are now even more essential in a time where the university cannot hire new staff.

While her duties may seem simple, the amount of work has spiked for Vargas because of the undermanned staff, which has created a hectic work environment for her and others.

“It’s not like a normal job,” Vargas said.

“Sometimes it may be time for me to leave, but the job isn’t scripted like a 9 to 5. I can’t just clock out.”
The new responsibilities do not bother her. She enjoys being crucial to the department.

“I’ve been there for four years. They trust me a lot. In my job I have to be very detailed oriented,” Vargas said.

There are both negatives and positives to working on campus. Vargas recommends working on campus for students who have no transportation or who want to make their own hours.

“The positives are being able to walk to class and come back to work a few hours,” Vargas said.

“The negatives are the busy schedule, speed walking, and the fact that my roommate works less hours at Red Lobster, but we make about the same money.”

For some, there might be a misconception about the title of “student worker” that tends to send a negative connotation about a student’s true worth as an employee.

Rosalina Messer, Vargas’ boss and a department administrative assistant, dislikes the term “student worker.”

“I don’t use that title and neither care for it. I call her a student clerical assistant,” Messer said.

“I think that title is more descriptive and sounds better. If student worker is used it might lessen a person’s perception of the importance of them and their contributions to the work environment.”
Vargas feels as if she’s an equal in the office.

“Professors show me respect and are fun to be around,” Vargas said.

Messer took the appreciation to a further level describing Vargas as an invaluable worker.

“She is a valuable asset to the department office operations and to my sanity and well-being,” Messer said.