NIU’s food service is again faced with a shortage of student employees despite a pay increase of 40 cents an hour and strong recruiting efforts.

Student Employment Coordinator Melody Amundsen said overall on-campus employment has risen this semester, noting the addition of 700 students to the payroll.

However, Food Service Director Robert Fredrickson said only about 75 percent of student positions are filled at this time, a slight decrease from last year.

Fredrickson said he thinks there are several possible reasons for the decrease in employment. He said one reason is many students worked in some type of food service job during their high school years and are tired of that type of work.

Fredrickson said other reasons include greater hourly wages offered by off-campus employment, the perceived negative image of working on-campus and changes in federal student aid qualifications.

Fredrickson added the problem of limited employees is “not unique to Northern.” “Service employers at universities across the country have gone begging for help in the last three or four years.”

Student Financial Aid Director Jerry Augsburger said students often choose a guaranteed student loan over a work-study award.

Augsburger said he encourages students to take work-study as a means of reducing debt and gaining work experience and job references. Augsburger said loans, while easy to take out, must be repaid, a fact that often does not hit home until after graduation.

Fredrickson said a lack of workers has a negative impact on service in the residence halls by causing longer lines and limiting the variety of meals. He said several options are being considered in case the situation does not improve.

Fredrickson said one option would allow students to pay-off a portion of their room and board fee by working for food service. Another option under consideration would eliminate the need for dishwashing by using disposable plates and silverware. Fredrickson said he hopes to avoid such measures because they would result in higher room and board fees.