Staffing: It's Complex!!

"This spring 2002 semester I had really talented students working on a number of projects. I've tried a new approach of giving a similar assignment to different group of students. Two independent teams of students working on the same project were created. I think this not only created healthy competition, but also brought new ideas, skills, and experiences. It seems to me that we had good results at the end of the semester." Alex Rudshteyn, Associate Director for Library Systems

When it comes to staffing and funds for staffing, Library Systems and Academic IT walk a thin yet highly complex line (please excuse the mixed metaphor). The quantity and quality of non-tax-levy labor are becoming an increasingly important factor in the AIT/Systems manpower formula.

Work -study students present a wonderful "free" opportunity; however, it is difficult to recruit students with sufficient skills sets.

The use of non-tax-levy labor also poses potential dangers: two years ago, the Library Café found itself in the unique situation of having recruited a large number of very able work-study students. This almost once-in-a-lifetime situation allowed the Café to return a portion of its allotted temporary services budget to the College for other uses. The following year, the Café was penalized with a $10,000 decrease in its tax-levy budget, facing the typical tiny pool of work-study students.

The reliance on Student Technology Fee monies for basic services is another source of concern. On the one hand, we are grateful for these funds. On the other, we are presently in the midst of recruiting for a full-time professional position which we must treat as a substitute position, hiring semester by semester for a maximum of two years. Although we expect CUNY eventually to provide clarification, this policy makes recruiting difficult. Furthermore, it is troubling to think that New Media Center staffing allocations can easily be reduced every six months, should the College elect to readjust its priorities.

Interns are another source of non-tax-levy man power. The skills and abilities of interns also vary greatly from semester to semester. Most interns are seniors in their final term, so that there is little opportunity to retain their services, post-internship. Nevertheless, they are an increasingly important source of manpower.