Grenada, in its efforts to give a job to every grenadian, has stated that a job at SGU can not go to anyone else if a grenadian is qualified and wants it. Call it affirmative action, grenada style. No big deal. Makes sense. I'm cool with it. Well now the university has decided the SOs (significant others) employed at the bookstore fall under this category, and in about a week they will no longer be working there. Starting this term the mailroom (located next door to the bookstore and connected in the back) fell from SO control too.

So whats the problem? The bookstore (which does not sell books but is more of a souvenir shop, not to be confused with the textbook distribution center, which hands out textbooks, or the other book store by the clinic, which sells BRS books and other helpful non-textbooks) is under control of the Student Government Association (SGA), the student council of SGU. It has always been a store "FOR the students BY the students." It does not make a net profit but turns the money around and puts it back into purchasing stuff. SGA owns all of the merchandise and will be "selling" it to the school when the change-over takes place. Luckily all of the SOs aren't out of jobs (which are extremely difficult to find in the first place.) Some are going to work for DES and others will now be making calls to potential students. Still, the bookstore was the place on campus where you knew you would always be treated kindly with a smile, with respect, and immediately attended to. "Customer service" takes on a whole new meaning in Grenada and unfortunately another establishment has fallen to its grasps.

The bookstore didn't just sell t-shirts, sweatshirts, scrubs, postcards, candy, pens, and pencils. You could also go there for advice. It runs a DVD exchange where students can lend their DVDs and make some $ every time someone rents it. They also run the monumental task of getting packages from the main grenada postoffice to the students on campus. Tons of boxes come every day to students. You pay a courier 15EC and he goes into town and brings it back for you. You pay whatever duty is assessed to the bookstore and walk home with your box. Today i FedEx'ed a package from the bookstore. Last year i was able to mail a box home from there. Will any of this change? We'll see.

I consider the SOs a large part of the university, although not officially recognized. And this is just another kick in their face. Talking to them today, it seems SGA didn't do all that it could to stop this from happening either. In then end its a loss for the students and their SOs.

I guess my only hope to come out of this is that perhaps with the university's buying power they can get more merchandise to sell. I just hope someone is doing inventory and reconciling the books.

This is an outrage!! As an SO no longer in Grenada, I must say I am SORELY disappointed in this decision. Someone needs to point out to SGU if they haven't figured this out yet, that Grenadians CAN'T do the job of SO's at the mailroom- OR in DES for that matter. Those are the only offices on campus that WORK! They can't provide decent service, they can't be kept to deadlines, and heaven forbid they have control of items for sale. I have very personal experience working with Grenadians and this is bad for the school. The reason why nothing gets done at SGU and students complain so much about their treatment is because the natives are in charge- just ask Bayshore. What's next?

SGU Administration: open your eyes!

I am not yet a student, but as my wife is coming with me I am upset. She was looking forward to having some kind of job, even if in the mail room. I know that she is disappointed by this opportunity being taken away. Oh well, we will see how long it lasts.

Andy

I am a MS IV (atleast in 3 weeks) and although this decision no longer affects me or my lovely wife (SO), it will hurt so's coming in the future. My wife was the mailroom manager a couple of years ago, and that job saved her life, She would have went in sane on that piece of crap island without that job. They provide a great service to the students. Shame on you SGA president for allowing this to happen. And what happened to Dr. Rao sticking up for the students? Phillip King, the greatest SGA President that ever lived (I hear he's Assistant Chancellor now) would have never let this happen!!! How is SGU going to attract married couples to go down there now when there are no jobs. My wife wouldn't have come....and then I would have went the D.O. pathway myself. Its not just bad for the SO's, its bad for the students. They did so much more than manage the store, like my fellow colleague said in the prior posts.

Your telling me that grenadians are complaining about 6 little jobs. You show me one grenadian that can do "any job" on that campus and I will be suprised. Some how I think Dexter had something to do with this. Unfortunately the only place on that island where you could get good old American custormer service (something that the Grenadian's don't believe in) is gone. This is a sad day for SGU. Good luck getting anything done now. Better yet, can you even trust them to do the same job. Its not a secret that locals have sticky fingers, I would be watching the inventory list pretty closely. Well.......sorry to hear that. It's not enough that the school does little to help students out who get broken into and violated, now they are taking away the "few" jobs that SGU offers spouses or girlfriends.

Well, I guess there's always ROSS guys! JK

On the bright side. Life is good after the island. You really do get to be a Doctor, it's not hoax. I rotate with NYU students right now, and they don't know anything. So, life does go on!! I was just sorry to see that happen.

Heres to all those So's that worked hard in the mailroom and made it what it was and what the locals will never be able to make it be. Cheers ladies & gents (for Gray).

Disappointed Student

While I agree with the concept that Grenadians get first shot at local jobs, this has been a little bastion of work and productivity on campus that has kept SOs sane during long hours spouces etc have been busy with school, when there isn't much else to do. i dont know the politics behind this decision and im sure there are plenty; the school may be pressured. i do know this will hurt students as it gives the SOs a fuctioning role not only in the school and thus their loved ones lives, but it gives them something to do. Contact the sgu, petition, etc. I will say that this one issue might make other schools look more attractice to some than they would have otherwise so I hope its repaired or remedied in some say. Good luck.

__________________
Steph
If you get a warning, put on yer manpants and stop whining about it.

Are there any other opportunities for SO's at SGU? This seems like a poor decision in my opinion (although perhaps thier only choice because of pressure), one more detractor for potential students and thier spouses to take into consideration. We were not counting on my SO getting a job, however the possobility of one was nice to have in the back of our minds.

My husband is a researcher at Harvard with many years of research and management experience as well as in depth course work and practical knowledge in the neurosciences (and pre-medical courses). I read somewhere that SO's can be hired to take notes/tutor/prepare outlines for the undergrad premedical courses. Is this true, and if so will these opportunities still be available in the coming year?

Thank you in advance to any comments or help...
jgriggs

well in your husband's case i suspect there would be some opportunies-paid or unpaid at least- to do something productive on campus.

__________________
Steph
If you get a warning, put on yer manpants and stop whining about it.

jgriggs,

Your husband may be interested in a demonstrator's position with DES... More info at:

http://www.sgu.edu/nhome.nsf/webcont...ument&top=arts

Thank you both, I have been thinking it would be more than difficult for him to not do very much while he was there, and perhaps a waste of his experience if he couldn't contribute in some way to SGU.

I will let him know about the DES,
Thank you again!

and neuro needs all the help it can get (as i study for the final)...