By Aaron Hinton
When I moved back to Houghton University, there were two things that I was excited to do once more: fiddle around with my PC and return to work at Java 101. While one allows me to be distracted and remain in my room, the latter enables me to interact and have conversations with fellow students and provide them fuel for the day. Unfortunately, one of these anticipations became a fantasy.
On the 28th of August, the day before the semester started, I checked my email and noticed there was one concerning Java. In this email, it was explained that there were changes to scheduling and operations in Java. The following sentence caused my heart to stop for a split second: “Based on those changes, we have unfortunately made the difficult decision to remove you from your scheduled shifts.”
I understand that this is how things go with businesses; things change, and sometimes the staff must change along with it by adapting or being released. However, if these changes were made over the summer break, shouldn’t there have been some emails sent to the workers mentioning the change that could occur? Ideally, yes. Did that happen? No. Looking through my email, there were no emails sent to Java student workers mentioning anything about a chopping block, let alone possible changes. Additionally, the email notifying me of being let go was sent the day before the semester began. Again, something that would have been nice to know in advance.
Now, I could go on about being let go, but that is not the point of this article. The point is that my letting go was a small part of Metz’s ultimatum.
Two days after receiving the disappointing email, I ran into a friend in the dining hall who also worked at Java. He asked if I was let go, to which I responded with a mournful yes. Sorrowfully, he replied that his employment at Java was also terminated in the same fashion. My friend then followed it up with a statement that rocked me to my core.
The number of student workers at Java is being greatly diminished.
Upon hearing this, I became filled with a mixture of worry and displeasure. While the latter seems straightforward since I was let go from what I saw as an excellent job opportunity for any Houghton student, the former may need some explanation. I became worried not only for the other student workers who were let go from Java this semester but also for the student workers at Sizzle & Swirl and the campus dining hall. I’m worried that Metz may be trying to do away with student workers.
Another point I would like to bring is what this change could mean for the atmosphere of Java once all student workers are gone. When you enter Java and see a student behind the counter ready to take your order, you feel like you are walking into a classroom: it is familiar, students know that they are welcome, and we can group up with our friends if they are there. As a bonus, we know Java will not assign stressful homework and you can get a latte how you’d like it. While removing student workers from Java will not affect the quality of the lattes and chances of a student leaving with an essay on coffee due by next Friday, the familiarity would change. This change in Java’s mood could go on to affect whether someone would want to stay in the coffeehouse as they chat with friends or work on an assignment.
Some readers may see my statement about the change in atmosphere and think I am exaggerating and incorrect about how it would change your experience. Well, think of it like this: if someone were to go into an Irish-themed restaurant and notice that the servers are dressed in American pop band shirts, khaki shorts, and Crocs, would they still think that the establishment is trying to give off an Irish-like atmosphere? While I understand the improbability of this happening to someone, don’t you think removing student workers from behind the counter will put a dent in an atmosphere made for college students?
Now, I am not one that is completely against change. I even embrace it if there is a great benefit to gain from it. However, if something is to change, there should be a legitimate reason, and to me, there doesn’t appear to be a definitive motive to displace student workers from Java. While we don’t know why Metz is making these changes, I worry about the effect it can have on Java’s atmosphere.
Yet, the question still stands: why, Metz? Why change Java like this? ★
