New Subsidy Program Benefits Unpaid Interns
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www.InsideVandy.com HUSTLER THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2011 ★ 123RD YEAR, NO. 66 ★ THE VOICE OF VANDERBILT SINCE 1888 THE VANDERBILCMOM ODORES go BOWLING T V anderbilt full-time worker wage rises above poverty line With a 41-7 win over Wake Forest on Saturday, the Commodores L UCAS LoFFREDO became bowl eligible for the fifth time in school history. STAFF REPORTER seeTS SPOR page 6 Annual wages for Vanderbilt’s lowest paid full-time employees have been brought above the poverty line by the university, a change that comes after years of union and student organiza- tional pressure. The Vanderbilt division of the Laborers’ International Union New subsidy of North America, and Vander- bilt student organizations Eco- nomic Empowerment Coalition, Living Income for Vanderbilt program benefits Employees, and Vanderbilt Students for Nonviolence have worked together since 2006 to effect this change. ZAC HARDY/ THE VANDERBILT HUSTLER unpaid interns Kyle Lambelet, Vanderbilt Di- hour. T he living wage campaign KYLE BLAINE of the program in consulta- vinity School student and mem- started later that year,” Alu- tion with 35 faculty member, V anderbilt University employ- SENIOR REPORTER ber of the organizations, said of konis said. “If it wasn’t for the students, alumni and admin- ee Garrett Johnson in Last the wage increase, “That was students, the living wage cam- Drop Coffee Shop Wednesday istrators. Cyrus said she ac- the main point of the campaign, paign, and the union, I would night. Undergraduate students pur- knowledged the importance of as well as building the capacity be making about $8.50 an hour suing internships that require internships in advancing a stu- of workers to represent them- today. I’m a single mother and if interns to receive academic dent’s career, especially in the selves and building the collect- I was living on that it would be wage”, which would account for credit can now do so at a signifi- current economy. ing bargaining unit.” a horror show.” other factors such as health care cantly lower cost as a result of a “This is Vanderbilt doing the Vanderbilt Custodian and Instead, she is now making costs that are not implicit in new subsidy program designed right thing, for the right rea- Union Steward Dewayne Arbi- over $11 an hour, which rounds poverty line calculations. Also, by the university. son, in the right way,” Cyrus gast talked about the involve- out above the poverty line at they are trying to find a way to The program is open to any said. ment of students in the process more than $23,000 a year. help over 50 percent of dining undergraduate required by Students wishing to receive of change. Although Lambelet said he workers who are only employed their employer to earn aca- the subsidy must present a let- “The students brought the had hope that the wage increase for the Fall and Spring semes- demic credit and is designed ter from their employer stipu- campus’s attention on manage- would be funded by detracting ters. Vanderbilt does not allow to cover the majority of tuition lating the need for academic ment and the way they deal from salaries of top university these workers to collect unem- and fees for the academic com- credit. Additionally, students with the employees, and it executives, he was not clear on ployment during the Summer ponent of a one-credit summer must complete and sign a copy keeps them decently on their whether that would be the case semester. internship. of the internship approval form toes,” Arbigast said. “It puts or if the raise would derive from According to Alukonis, mu- Through the program, which for HOD 2000, INDS 280D, them in the position of having student tuition hikes. tual respect between students, will be implemented in time for MUSO 280C, PSY 2820 or to keep at least the appearance Lambelet said, “Vanderbilt workers, and the administra- this summer, students will be another approved internship of fairness and honesty, and the has some of the highest paid ex- tion is of utmost importance. “It charged $200 for the academic course. Students are also re- students have played a huge ecutives. But it would be to the takes everybody to get the job credit and the compensation of quired to complete a 45 minute role in that.” advantage of the administra- done, it takes the head of the de- a faculty mentor. In the past Career-Center orientation mod- The ongoing battle for fair tion to pit students and workers partment, it takes the lady that most students had to pay the ule that focuses on workplace wages for workers has benefit- against each other.” cleans the bathroom, it takes hourly cost of credit in a sum- law and workplace etiquette. ted a number of employees. Alu- Moving forwards, the union the lady that serves the food. I mer session, which is $1,344 Students may elect not to go konis, dining worker and union and student organizations have think that it is really important per hour for undergraduates. through the application process steward, recounted her story. a few goals. They hope to fur- that people understand that Associate Provost for Under- and may choose to use the regu- “I came here six years ago, ther raise the worker pay rate everyone deserves respect and graduate Education Cynthia lar tuition process to enroll in and I started at under $7 an to what Lambelet calls a “living dignity,” Alukonis said. ★ Cyrus led the development internship classes. ★ WEEKEND PREVIEW: PERFORMING ARTS CHRIS HONIBALL/ Tong UE N’ CHEEK BIG ASS SHOW will feature appearances by members of VTV THE VANDERBILT HUSTLER Friday, Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m. shows Sportswired and Outspoken, as well as Sarratt Cinema performances from the Melodores and Swin- gin’ Dores. The four hosts of the show will also B ryann DeSilva TNC ends every semester with one big show partake in a waffle-decorating contest on air. during a re- for all the fans. The event is scheduled near In addition, Saturday’s broadcast will reveal hearsal Monday. exam season as a way of giving tired, over- next semester’s new MorningVU host to The Original stressed Vandy students a chance to unwind, replace senior Francesca Amiker. Cast is per- forming their put down their term papers and just laugh for fall show “Fin- an hour or so. VIBE SHOW gerprints” in It’s also worth noting that Tongue N’ Cheek Saturday, Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m. Langford this still holds the title of “Nashville’s best Improv Student Life Center weekend. Check Comedy Troupe,” and that you usually don’t $7.50 on the Card page 5 for the see improv of this quality for this price, be- full preview. cause it’s free. You don’t even need a ticket! This year’s VIBE show is entitled “The Next Due to awesomeness, this show will feature Chapter: Inspiring a Hip-Hop Generation.” Come to the SLC Ballroom on Saturday The Melodore’s winter concert this semester free pizza for all in attendance. Anyone who The show will take the audience on a journey evening for VIBE’s only full-length performance will feature a new take on a cappella mu- wants pizza should show up at or before 7:30 through time as VIBE explores the future pos- this year. Tickets are available from Sarratt sic: vocal dubstep. The performance will be to enjoy a free slice (or two ... or three ... ). sibilities in the world of hip-hop. Student Center Box Office, Rand wall, or at composed of a few dubstep songs as well as The show features diverse styles of dance, the door. some more traditional a cappella tunes. MORNING VU LIVE FROM RAND a variety of music, and performers from all MeloMau5 will also host two guest artists: BRUNCH backgrounds — representing Hip-Hop like Saturday night will see Tennessee-based Saturday, Dec. 3, 12 p.m. you’ve never seen it before! The show will also MELODORES WINTER ConCERT: singer/songwriter Ryan Kenney take the Rand feature guest performances from VIDA, Mo- MELoMAU5 stage, and Sunday night’s guest artist will mentum Dance Company, Vanderbilt Spoken Saturday, Dec. 3 & Sunday, Dec. 4, 8 p.m. be Vanderbilt’s own Sarah Barr, who is set This weekend, MorningVU will be broadcast- Word and the Thrive Dance Team from the $7 on the Card or at the door, $5 in advance to release an original album in the next few ing live from Rand Brunch. The broadcast Martha O’Bryan Center. from a Melodore months. ★ DRS. ELAM, VAUGHAN & FLEMING are now Vandy BlueCross BlueShield Preferred Providers Conveniently located across from the Children’s Hospital on Blakemore Avenue Now Accepting New Patients! Please Call 383-3690 ★ ★ ★ 2 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2011 THE VANDERBILT HUSTLER WWW.INSIDEVANDY.COM CAMPUS TRANSPORTATION BY VU NEWS SERVICE WECAR COMES TO CAMPUS Bill of rights WeCar, a division of Enterprise, now has five vehicles on campus. One vehicle each is located in Lots 27, 84 and 96; two are located in Lot 3. The new pro- gram runs alongside the current Zipcar program and will only enhance your car sharing experience. Quick facts about the new WeCar pro- gram at Vanderbilt: • WeCar also has rates that start as low as $3.75/hour plus a $.25 sur- • Any current Zipcar member may charge per mile, which is a great op- join for free using Promotional code tion if you do not need to drive long NEW2WE. distances. • Through April 2012, the hourly pro- • WeCar has an overnight option that motional rate has been reduced to has a flat rate of $35 during the $6.