Several Aramark staff employment ended a few weeks ago. Although employees were employed by Aramark, and not by the College, these individuals were well known to students, faculty and staff, and were highly regarded, productive and well-liked members of the campus community. However, their departures were disruptive and painful for the employees themselves and a source of sadness for Aramark and for the College as a whole.
The events leading up to last week began with an anonymous call to Aramark’s national telephone hotline. Aramark runs food service operations on college campuses across the country and, like many large employers; it maintains a telephone hotline for people to call to report potential problems in any Aramark operation. The anonymous caller in this case told the hotline that several Aramark dining service employees at Lake Forest College – at least a few of whom the caller identified by name – did not have legal documents and were working unlawfully. Aramark’s legal department directed Aramark managers here at the College to interview relevant employees and confirms their legal status. Aramark was required to do this in response to the hotline call: a failure to do so could have exposed the company and local managers to criminal and civil penalties. A bilingual HR specialist helped conduct the interviews to make sure that employees fully understood their situation.
It turned out that eight employees confirmed, in these interviews, that they did not have – and were ineligible to obtain – legal documents entitling them to work in the United States. These employees then left Aramark’s employment and left campus.
It was an extremely sad losing some of the greatest Aramark workers and everyone still thinks of them every time they walk into the cafeteria or café’s. It just is not the same without the familiar faces. Aramark immediately replaced the workers with new employees, and truthfully the food and workers are just not what we’re use to. LU is one organization that was very affected by this because the workers who were fired were Latino. LU is now collecting donations from anyone who wishes to help raise money for the 8 employees who left and now have nothing. Although our collections may not be a lot, it’s just to show the workers that we truly did care and appreciate them.
Study routine:
My freshman year I really didn’t realize how much work the average college student should put into their studies until the end of my second semester of my freshman year when I received my grades. My grades weren’t terrible, but they weren’t too great either. It was kind of like a wake-up call. So this semester I have changed my ways. I spend majority of my free time studying. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I spend my time studying, with the exception of Saturday night, which I save to hang out with friends, or if I have events I have to attend for classes/organizations, or fieldtrips.
I realized my freshman year that I couldn’t study in the library, CYIC, or my room. So this year I study in a quiet study place called, the Wood Lounge. I also wear ear plugs so I won’t be distracted by others going in and out of the study room. The only thing that sucks is when I have to type papers, I have to go to the library and bring my headphones so I can listen to classical music to tune out the noises in the library since I don’t have a laptop.
Until next time, Adios amigos!
Well, lucky for you that you have your MAC now!!!