ASU’s policies are increasingly unjust
ASU proudly showcases its high student enrollment, yet this success doesn’t benefit employees, who continue to live paycheck to paycheck. Supervisors and directors seem to care only about numbers, not about the people behind them. According to a report from ASU’s Morrison Institute for Public Policy, rent in Arizona has soared nearly 72% from 2010 to 2022, forcing minimum wage workers to work 86 hours per week—essentially more than two full-time jobs—to afford a two-bedroom home. How can we manage to sleep, let alone live balanced lives, under these conditions? And what about single parents struggling on one income? ASU, are you listening? You tout innovation and student numbers, but what about your employees? You know the situation, yet your actions are slow, and your solutions are outdated before they’re even implemented. It's unfair that lower-level staff receive only a 1% raise while higher-ups get more, despite the fact that we do much of the heavy lifting. Meanwhile, the council does nothing to address these issues, simply sitting pretty in their positions. Appreciation Day and the annual food event at the stadium are not genuine ways to show appreciation. True appreciation is reflected in our paychecks, not in publicized events that glorify leadership. We did the hard work, not the leadership. ASU’s policies are increasingly unjust, especially regarding vacation time, where long-serving employees are essentially punished as newer employees receive the same benefits. And what’s with all these new buildings? Many of them remain empty, despite claims they benefit students. ASU continues to build and showcase its success, but behind the scenes, employees are overworked and underpaid. Meanwhile, executives and leaders live lavishly off our labor, and those in power remain silent about President Crow’s role in this. It’s time for ASU to genuinely appreciate its employees and take meaningful action to support us.
Resolution/Notes
Thank you for sharing your concerns. We understand that the rising cost of living and the challenges faced by our employees are significant issues. We strive to offer competitive wages that reflect market standards for each position.
Your feedback is important to us, and we are committed to continuously reviewing and improving our policies to better support our staff. We appreciate your dedication and hard work, and we are actively working towards creating a more supportive and equitable environment for everyone at ASU. Over the past few years, we have made strides in enhancing our compensation packages and benefits. Most recently, ASU was recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s greatest workplaces in 2024. The survey covered topics like compensation and benefits, training and career progression, work-life balance and company culture. However, we recognize that there is still work to be done.
We appreciate your dedication and hard work, and we are committed to creating a more supportive and equitable environment for everyone at ASU.