By Priya Abraham staff reporter Before summer comes, Julie Graver has to choose between keeping a job she enjoys and paying for day care for her children. "Over half of my paycheck goes to day care," said Graver, a residential housekeeper. "If pay is not going to change and they keep giving small-amount raises each year, then there's just no reason to stay." TCU's salaries for hourly employees who are not eligible for overtime are not competitive, often falling below the federal poverty line of $16,700 for a family of four, said Mary Lane, chairwoman of the Staff Assembly. Housekeeping and the Physical Plant, where salaries are often lowest, have the biggest problems retaining staff.
"Probably in any company, housekeeping has the highest turnover," she said. "I don't think TCU's turnover rates are higher than anywhere else." In 1997 the average turnover rate was 12 percent at TCU, while in 1998 it was 15 percent. TCU has not compared the turnover rates between TCU and other similar universities or employers. Richard Bryan, associate director of the Physical Plant, said some workers left their jobs during the summer of 1999, leaving seven or eight vacancies that still have not been filled. "In the trades, we have a hard time competing with wages at the local contractors," he said. Blake Evans, plumbing supervisor at the Physical Plant, said his department has had considerable turnover in the last three or four years. He said after his predecessor retired, three or four plumbers left for better paying jobs. "We're still one or two (positions) understaffed," he said. "We're managing better now than we were a couple of years ago." Isabel Gomez, a residence hall housekeeping supervisor, said once housekeepers leave it's difficult to find replacements. "It's very difficult for us to get applications in," she said. "As soon as they see the pay, they feel there's no need to apply." New housekeepers have to be trained, which slows down their experienced co-workers, she said. Gomez said absenteeism is also a problem in her section with one or two housekeepers off sick almost every week. "A lot of housekeepers do get sick because of the heavy work or the weather," she said. Graver said the absenteeism makes work harder for other housekeepers. "There's a lot of days when you're doing double the work," she said. "(But) for that pay, why should they come out here and get worse?" Graver said temporary employees who come in often don't stay long because the pay is too low for the strenuous work required. "Temporaries don't do what we do," she said. "We're very detailed in our work." Graver doesn't think TCU's insurance and retirement benefits, which she will begin receiving this summer, will make up for her low salary. She said only the tuition benefit, where employees and their dependents can take courses at a reduced fee, is different from what other employers offer. But she said she generally doesn't see housekeepers use it. Although Graver started taking courses herself, she couldn't afford to continue. "When I'm paying for day care I can't pay for that small tuition they're asking for," she said. "It's not free, and books are not free." Graver said she didn't leave TCU because she hoped she would get a higher salary if she worked longer. "You move up, just slowly," she said. "Some say I've just got TCU blood in me, and that's why I'm still here." Priya Abraham
By Rusty Simmons staff reporter 7:56 a.m. - Still bleary-eyed from a lack of sleep, Alyshia Neil, a senior deaf education major, peers down at her watch. 7:59 a.m. - Remembering she was supposed to meet her study group in the library in one minute, Neil begins her sprint from Sadler Hall to the Mary Couts Burnett Library. 8:01 a.m. - Neil runs through four lanes of traffic on University Drive as cars whiz by within feet of her stride. 8:04 a.m. - Sitting around a table in the library discussing an upcoming education project, Neil is hit by a sense of fear and then relief merely instants apart. "When you're in a hurry, you don't necessarily look both ways (when crossing a road)," Neil said. "It usually hits you once you have arrived. You realize you could have just lost your life." Neil will cross University Drive two or three times each day, and each time, her safety is in question, she said. "There are a few cars who don't yield to pedestrians," she said. "Some cars, especially (those driven by) college students, speed down University Drive, and that makes it unsafe." Chancellor Michael Ferrari said TCU is currently working on ideas to increase the safety of crossing University Drive. "I don't know about a stoplight, given the close proximity of the Berry Street light, but we have been discussing raised speed bumps at Bowie and perhaps other areas to slow traffic," he said. TCU Chief of Police Steve McGee said the committee designed to deal with the parking situation at TCU will now also deal with the pedestrian safety on campus. "It will be interesting to hear the suggestions of the committee," he said. "I would like to see speed bumps on Stadium Drive because I know I've almost gotten hit a couple of times leaving the Rickel Building after working out. "University is a more difficult situation though. University is a three-lane thoroughfare, so speed bumps probably can't be added. Maybe another stoplight or flashers could be added." Talks of adding a stoplight at the intersection of Bowie Street and University Drive began among TCU students and members of the surrounding community after a hit-and-run incident occurred there Nov. 8. Gordon Alderson, a Fort Worth traffic engineer, said suggestions for safety always come up when someone is injured, but five accidents a year must occur at an intersection for it to be deemed an accident situation. TCU Police Sgt. Chris Drake said twice in the past two years an incident of a pedestrian being hit by an automobile has occurred on University Drive. In November 1999, Tokio Sasaki, a freshman psychology major, was hit by a car at about 6 p.m. while on the crosswalk at the intersection of University Drive and Bowie Street. At 6 p.m. Oct. 1, 1998, Nancy Grieser, coordinator of housing assignments, was hit by a pickup truck turning left off of Princeton Street onto University Drive. Even with the incidents of injured pedestrians, Alderson said there probably is not enough traffic on Bowie Street to warrant a signal. "I don't think a stoplight will be added, but we're really going to beef up the markings on University Drive," he said. But just adding markings is not enough in dealing with the important issue of safety, Ferrari said. "Better markings could help, but it is my hope that we can have additional improvements from the city," he said. Masato Hashimoto, a senior economics and political science major, said he fears TCU could see more incidents if something is not done. "Both drivers and walkers need to be more careful," he said. "We don't try to cross Hulen Street, but we have become comfortable crossing University Drive, a major roadway." Hashimoto said the responsibility of being safe on University Drive falls on the pedestrians. "Students cross University from anywhere," he said. "The markings on the street don't enhance safety if nobody uses the crosswalks. We must encourage students to take advantage of the safety precautions that have been taken."
Rusty Simmons
By Jeff Anderson staff reporter What's for lunch in The Main today? What about dinner in Worth Hills tomorrow? These answers will be only a point and click away when TCU Dining Services launches its new Web site early next week. The new Web site (http://www.diningservices.tcu.edu) will include weekly menus and hours of operation for all of the dining locations on campus. The site will also offer nutritional information, an explanation of meal plans, a promotions calendar and current news. David Ripple, general manager of Sodexho Marriott, said the new Web site is designed to inform students about what Dining Services is doing. "Hopefully, the Web site will help with communication to students," Ripple said.Information about catering, employment opportunities and a place for comments and suggestions will also be available. Ripple said comments and suggestions go directly to his e-mail. A Dining Services survey is also on the Web site. Ripple said the Web site should be a better way to publicize menus and special events for each dining location. Fliers and other signs have been used in the past to inform students of special events, he said. Patrick Mullins, a sophomore business major, said the Web site will be a convenience. "The Web site is a good idea, especially for people who live in Worth Hills," he said. "It will keep me from wasting a trip to the (Worth Hills cafeteria). If there is nothing I am interested in (eating), I'll know not to go there." Mullins said he likes the idea of comments and suggestions being available on the Web site. "It's perfect because comments will go directly to Dining Services," Mullins said. Ripple said the Web site idea originated with the House of Student Representatives' Dining Services Committee last spring. Tulane University, Southern Methodist University, Baylor University and other schools similar to TCU have Web sites to inform students about dining issues, he said. Officials from other schools told Ripple the Web pages are used frequently. The Dining Services Web site will be a link off of the TCU Web page, Ripple said. Josh Hawkins, House Dining Services chairman, said the Web site will be good for students interested in coming to TCU. "Perspective students can check out what's on campus," he said.
Jeff Anderson
By Jill McNeal staff reporter In high school, Scott Falconer said he dreamed of inventing something amazing that would make him a multimillionaire. Now, the freshman physics major is thinking of joining the Air Force ROTC program. "It would help me get some connections in the science field," Falconer said. "I think it would be cool to be around all the new technology - weapons development and stuff." Due to low numbers in its sophomore cadet class, Air Force ROTC is now able to offer full tuition scholarships to students in 15 majors who would be willing to start with the program immediately, Admissions Officer Capt. Jose Aleman said. ROTC graduates must serve four years as commissioned officers in the U.S. Air Force. To be eligible for the Express scholarship, Aleman said students must have a 2.65 minimumcumulative GPA (a 2.35 GPA for the semester before they enroll), be under 27 years of age at the time of commissioning after graduation, take the written 4.5 Air Force Officer Qualifying Test and pass a physical fitness test.
"Students are normally able to pass this part of the test," Aleman said. "It's a little demanding, but doable." Tristan Tayag, assistant professor of engineering, has worked for the military as a civilian and also taught for a year at the U.S. Military Academy. "From what I've seen of students in the ROTC program, they are usually very disciplined," Tayag said. "The structured training and practice schedules force them to budget their time." Tayag said he also sees a difference in the classroom behavior of cadets. "They tend to be more outgoing and participate more in class," he said. "I think that comes from the self-confidence they get in the program." Possibly due to the booming economy and low unemployment rates, Aleman said there is a national shortage of cadets who will be ready for commissioning in the spring or summer of 2002. "We need to boost our numbers, " Aleman said. "What's the best way to recruit cadets? Offer them money." Tuition and spending money, said Robyn McBratney, a junior nursing major and recruiting squadron assistant, are two of the biggest draws for perspective cadets. "Money talks," McBratney said. "I'm not the military type, but I wanted to get my college paid for and not burden my parents financially." In addition to a free education, Falconer said he likes the idea of having job security right after graduation. "While you're on active duty, you get free food and housing," Falconer said. "It would be nice to get to keep 100 percent of my paycheck." Falconer said he can see only one drawback right now. "I don't know how I'd like being told what to do for (four years)," he said. Perseverance, dedication and ambition are important qualities for potential cadets to have, McBratney said. "We don't want just anybody," she said. "We want people who are never willing to give up, who will get the job done, whatever it takes." Interested students can check out TCU's Air Force ROTC Web site at (http://www.afrotc.tcu.edu) or contact Aleman at 257-7461.
Jill McNeal |
Susan Oakley, employment manager at the Human Resource Center,
said retaining staff in the lowest-paid jobs is usually a problem for any
employer.
The physical test differs for males and females. Male candidates
are required to do 44 sit-ups in two minutes, 30 push-ups in two minutes
and a two-mile run in under 18 minutes. Females have to do 44 sit-ups in
two minutes, nine push-ups in two minutes and a two-mile run in under 21
minutes.| The TCU Daily Skiff © 1998, 1999 Credits |