Students Tackle Work Program
Emily Cobb | November 20, 2024
On Wednesday, Nov. 13, the Warren Wilson College (WWC) Student Government Association (SGA) hosted a meeting in the Log Cabin to discuss the future of the Work Program. There, Associate Dean of Work Paul Bobbitt, introduced himself and the current proposals for the Work Program starting in 2025. During the session, students discussed questions including what the work program was doing well, how it could improve and what could go well.
Ari Hanson is the SGA Co-President working on the Peer Coach Crew in the Career and Internship Office. This is his second semester at WWC after transferring from Asheville Buncombe Technical (AB Tech) Community College. Hanson started his SGA career at AB Tech, serving as vice president.
“I just love getting involved on campus,” Hanson said. “It's really important to me that people get heard and that voices are elevated.”
After attending WWC SGA meetings in the spring, Hanson knew he wanted to get more involved. With the help of Herb Crew leader Rosemary Thurber, Hanson started the committee for the standardization of SGA documentation paving the way for students to start any committee they wanted for SGA.
“In my mind, Warren Wilson is very, very generous to offer shared governance with students on campus with their college governance model,” Hanson said. “The thing is SGA does not have a strong culture here on campus, so we don't automatically have these students involved debating, running for office. I really want to see more competitiveness when it comes to SGA, because students need to know this is their outlet to make change, right? I can sit you down with anyone in this school for 30 minutes, and you can't do that at most colleges.”
Hanson worked alongside Bobbitt to set up the work program themed SGA meeting.
“Paul Bobbitt approached me in September about coming to SGA, and at that time, SGA had one or two attendance every meeting, which was frustrating for me,” Hanson said. “I was like, ‘Okay, we're gonna figure out how to get people here.’ Then the storm happened, so coming back we re-invited him. That [the meeting] was to direct student input on the work program in a more intimate environment where you could feel like your voice could be heard.”
Sawyer Kairys is a freshman on the Animal Welfare Crew at WWC. This was the first SGA meeting they attended. Kairys listed the work program as something that initially drew him to WWC and has learned a lot.
“I found it [the work program] helpful to gain an understanding of what kind of workplace you do best in, like being on the crew I am now I know that I need more structure and I'm more of a task-oriented person,” Kairys said.
Kairys enjoyed attending the meeting and getting the opportunity to participate actively.
“I just think it's [SGA meetings] important as a school,” Kairys said “I think we talk a lot about students being involved in decision-making processes, so it's nice to see that in action.”
James Ellis is a freshman on the Ecological Landscaping Crew. This was also Ellis’s first SGA meeting, and he said he felt more inspired to come, saying he enjoyed having his own voice.
“I think it's really important because students should have the choice with their own education and work,” Ellis said. “I think it [holding SGA meetings] is awesome.”
Ellis was worried about the work program initially, unsure if he could balance it with classes.
“I think it [the work program] has helped me a lot,” Ellis said. “But there's little voice in the background like, ‘Would it be easier?’ But, at the end of the day, I'm very happy.”
Hanson was pleased with the turnout of the meeting and hearing different perspectives.
“The thing that brought so much joy was seeing all these freshmen, just jumping in like, ‘Hey, let me give ideas,’” Hanson said. “Just seeing SGA elevating a voice for someone who maybe wouldn't otherwise speak up, I want to see that again. I want to see people expressing themselves and being in leadership in SGA.”
Kairys felt that the meeting showed them issues with the work program they did not know about.
“I was not aware of the issue that people who have Milepost One [a full-tuition scholarship given out by WWC] actually kind of aren't benefiting as much in the work program,” Kairys said. “I think that's kind of super ironic and sort of dumb, and so it was cool to hear from people who are experiencing that, and then also hearing the perspectives of people on CORE was cool. I am curious to see how more student leadership could happen.”
Improving the work program is just a small section of what the SGA is working on for the student body.
“Originally, when I ran for office in spring, there was a lot of talk at SGA about communication,” Hanson said. “We want all crews to be represented, if possible, at SGA. It's a way of disseminating information very efficiently. That is the big dream that by the end of spring there's some constitutional amendment in place to allow for representative membership in SGA. SGA is for everyone, but we need representatives that are dedicated, especially students that don't have a second commitment.”
On Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 4-5 in Canon Lounge, there will be a work program strategic action plan community session. During this meeting, they will elaborate on feedback received in the first session and will discuss other college work program models to reshape WWC’s.