College Students Have Begun to Unionize, Very Carefully

Ladies and gentlemen, buckle up! We're diving into a phenomenon that's sweeping across college campuses nationwide: undergraduate students unionizing. This isn't your typical student protest; it's a full-blown labor movement, and it's happening right now!

WHY NOW? THE POWER OF THE PANDEMIC

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a game-changer. It exposed the disparities in working conditions across campuses and made students realize the value of union protection. Ella Meloy, a senior at the University of Oregon, put it best: "COVID definitely showed disparities among the working conditions across campus, and the need for things like minimum-wage pay and sick leave benefits."

THE NUMBERS DON'T LIE

Let's talk numbers. In the past three years, the number of recognized undergraduate unions has skyrocketed from just one to over a dozen. Resident assistants at Mount Holyoke and Barnard Colleges, as well as Fordham, Wesleyan, and Tufts Universities, all won their elections. And at Grinnell College in Iowa, a union for student dining hall workers was expanded to include all undergraduate workers. That's right, folks—this is a movement on the rise!



THE BIG PLAYERS

But it's not just about the numbers. It's about the impact. Student workers at the University of Oregon and the California State University system have formally petitioned for union elections. If either succeeds, it will instantly become the largest undergraduate bargaining unit in the country, and only the second at a public institution. That's a big deal, folks!

THE ADMINISTRATORS' PERSPECTIVE

Now, let's talk about the other side of the coin. Administrators and higher ed lobbyists have argued that the relationship of student workers to their institutions is primarily educational, therefore superseding the employer-employee relationship that drives unionization. Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government relations at the American Council on Education, said, "We think that, at their heart, these are students, not employees. [Unionizing] is a troubling intrusion into the relationship of the student to their institution, and brings into that relationship a third party that complicates it in ways that aren’t helpful to achieving the academic mission."

THE STUDENTS' PERSPECTIVE

But the students see it differently. They say that at their jobs, work-study or not, they are treated as workers and should qualify for the same protections as any other. And they're not alone. The rise of undergraduate unions is tied to a larger nationwide interest in organized labor among young workers. William Herbert, executive director of the National Center for the Study of Collective Bargaining in Higher Education and Professions at Hunter College, said, "This is all stemming from an explosion of post-pandemic labor activism, particularly by a new generation who understands that representation has strong advantages."

THE FUTURE OF UNIONIZATION ON CAMPUS

So, what does this mean for the future of higher education? It's a mixed bag, folks. On one hand, unionization can lead to better working conditions, increased student voice, and enhanced social justice. On the other hand, it can introduce potential conflicts, require significant resources, and cause disruptions.

But one thing is for sure: this is a movement that's here to stay. And as investors, we need to pay attention. The future of higher education is changing, and those who adapt will thrive. So, stay tuned, folks—this is just the beginning!