Albuquerque officials have decided to discontinue the city's UNM work-study program due to recent budget cuts.
With the cut, city employees, who now can worry less about the possibility of being laid off, will do the work students were doing.
"We need to be sensitive to our employees and not introduce students at this time," said Patricia Miller, director of the Albuquerque Human Resource Department. Miller was responsible for deciding to cut work-study students from the budget after weighing the costs and benefits.
"It's not that we don't value the program," she said. "It was a tough decision, and I value the relationships with the students, but if I have a single mom losing her job because of a student who needs experience, it doesn't seem mutually beneficial."
UNM's work-study program offers experience on and off campus for more than 3,000 students. Currently, reading tutor positions are most popular with students.
The city is only one work-study employer among many, including the Albuquerque Rape Crisis Center, Lovelace Hospital and the YMCA. The federal government pays for 70 percent of the aid, which is channeled through the University, while the specific work-study employer provides the other 30 percent.
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"The city wasn't considered a large employer," said UNM Financial Aid Manager Joseph Gonzales.
Most of the work-study positions offered by the city involved clerical and administrative tasks in addition to a few community service or tour-guiding-oriented opportunities.
"I think it will affect the city more than UNM because they counted on their students," Gonzales said.
Because of a new UNM work-study policy, the city's move may not have too dramatic of an impact on the University or its students.
Beginning this summer, all work-study employers must be nonprofit organizations, said Gonzales.
However, the new policy may become controversial in the future when city funds become more available.
"I'm hoping that the gross receipt tax goes up, and things will get better," Miller said.
Because of the cut, she said her city employees will not have to worry about job security.
"I want people to understand why I had to make this decision at this time," Miller said.
