To President Lisa Freeman,

The student workers/faculty of NIU have kept this institution running every semester without fail, but you and the board of trustees have failed us. To better understand their experiences and concerns as campus workers, the YDSA has recorded numerous responses from both faculty and student workers. In the responses recorded, a concerning majority of students say that they struggle to afford basic necessities, including, but not limited to: Food, rent/housing, school supplies, and other crucial needs to ensure a quality education.

You yourself have said, “I think students should know that I really care about them. I really care about the way they feel when they’re here and when they leave”

Campus workers have reported high stress levels due to their low pay and low-hour cap of 20 hours per week. It’s simply not possible to sustain all of the expenses being a full-time student requires with this kind of payroll, so many workers have also admitted that they have more than one job. With the compounding stress of multiple responsibilities, the expectation of balancing “rigorous academics” becomes draining and completely exhausting.

You highlight an unwavering commitment to student success, yet you have taken a raise while your own workers are forced to choose between their next meal or a new textbook.
By putting students in this situation, you have failed to show the care that you claim to have and to fulfill your duty to help students.

Prove you’re not just making hollow promises to us, and Raise the Wage.

Our demand: Raise the student minimum wage to $20 per hour.

- Students of NIU