The Hannah Administration Building on Aug. 23, 2019, in East Lansing.
President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. made the right call transitioning classes online, but the sudden change, left many unprepared. As more cases of COVID-19 are confirmed every day, student workers and staff have to worry about more than just their health.
While we stay inside to protect ourselves, our family and our community, not everyone has the ability or opportunity to work from home.
All across campus, from culinary services to researchers, many jobs require the work to be done in person. And with the world shifting around us, many have lost the opportunity to work. Without a paycheck, workers can’t pay for food, rent and other necessities.
Thankfully, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has taken the first step and signed an executive order halting evictions during this time.
But banning evictions is only a temporary fix. Students will still have to pay rent. Without income flowing in, students will continue to fall into debt, something many already face.
MSU has the opportunity to ease the constant panic workers experience when faced with the inability to pay their bills in time, if they’ll have a roof over their head and food to eat.
MSU needs to organize a fund to continue paying university staff and student employees who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19.
Everyone’s financial situation is different. College students are notoriously broke and many are working to support themselves and are on their own at MSU. Many are living paycheck to paycheck. Many are unable to have a substantial emergency fund because of their limited income.
Many university employees are also facing financial challenges during this uncertain time.
MSU has the capability to put an emergency fund into action to alleviate the stress for students and staff trying to make ends meet.
There are more questions than answers as we continue to move forward. We at The State News know you are searching for answers. We urge you and MSU to make a university-sponsored fund a priority.
The State News Editorial Board is composed of Editor-in-Chief Madison O’Connor, Managing Editor Mila Murray, Copy Chief Alan Hettinger, Campus Editor Evan Jones, City Editor Haley Sinclair, Sports Editor Chase Michaelson, Photo Editor Annie Barker, Multimedia Editor Tessa Osborne, Social Media and Engagement Editor Wolfgang Ruth, Staff Representative Maddie Monroe and Diversity and Inclusion Representative Chandra Fleming.
Social Media and Engagement Editor Wolfgang Ruth and Staff Representative Maddie Monroe did not sit in on this editorial board meeting.
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