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Philanthropic Support Expands Affordability for Students
Opus student work program is now year round
University News | March 27, 2019
College access and affordability are important topics in mainstream media nationally. Through the generosity of two donors, Òùµ´ÉÙ¸¾’s efforts to make education affordable have taken a significant new step.
Two years ago, Dr. Scott D. Miller, President of the University, established the Opus (early 18th century: from Latin, literally ‘work’) work program, targeted toward financially at-risk students, as a means of addressing the primary reason that students leave their schooling without finishing: cost.
What started as a pilot initiative in 2017 has grown to a year-round program. With the expansion of the federal work-study program to include a donor-funded work strategy, nearly 500 meaningful work opportunities are now available to students this year, providing valuable funds toward degree completion.
“Multiple studies show that students that work campus-based jobs not only earn important funds to pay for their education, but are also more engaged in campus life now and as alumni,” Dr. Miller said.
VWU Board Chair David Kaufman funded the initial summer program for a three- year period. Later, The Landmark Foundation of Norfolk provided substantial funds to expand the program to the full academic year.
The Opus work program serves at-risk students who want to continue their studies at Virginia Wesleyan. Preference is given to rising sophomores and juniors with a personal account balance owed of $2,000 to $3,000 and who also demonstrate financial need, commitment to academic studies, and campus involvement credentials. The Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs convenes a committee of the Vice President for Finance and Administration, the Vice President for Student Affairs, and the Director of Financial Aid to determine those students most at-risk and eligible for this program.
Those selected sign an agreement indicating that they will receive a grant in exchange for participating in the Opus program. The summer program includes 25 hours a week for 13 weeks. Students are provided with housing in Brock Village (Village III) and a modest meal plan in the Boyd Dining Center. The program includes an evaluation process; students not meeting expectations may be removed from the program. Parents are notified of their students’ participation.
The students in the summer Opus program work on campus starting the Tuesday after Commencement in May. Jason Seward, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, supervises the program and assigns the work projects. Most projects focus on campus operations including maintenance, repair and upkeep of facilities, campus beautification, upkeep and housekeeping in the residence halls and Batten Student Center and curb, line and logo painting in campus parking lots. Some work in campus offices; one works in the Office of the President as a Presidential Associate while others staff the new Greer Environmental Sciences Center and the Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center.
The “in-year” program is slightly different as work hours are dispersed throughout the academic year. Hours can range from five to 15 per week. Again, students work a wide variety of positions, from campus operations to staffing offices. A new feature this year is a team of students in the sciences, caring for our 25,000 native plants in and around the Greer Environmental Sciences Center and the arboretum, under the supervision of the VWU/Norfolk Botanical Gardens Director of Living Landscapes and Horticulturist.
The program enables students to work on campus, assisting staff with corrective maintenance, grounds and landscaping, and general campus beautification.
Social work major and aspiring pediatric oncology therapist Dazjae Johnson '21 has benefited from the program for two consecutive semesters. She welcomed the opportunity to make her college education more affordable through participation in Opus.
“If it were not for Opus, there is a chance that I would not have been able to further my academic studies at VWU-- the place I love the most,” said Johnson.
To say that Johnson is active on campus would be an understatement. In addition to working in the Opus program, the busy sophomore from Chesapeake is also active as a resident assistant, vice president of the Social Work Club, a mentor at Tidewater Collegiate Academy, a shelter manager for VWU’s homeless shelter project, an outreach specialist for the Center for Enrollment, a member of the Student Government Association and the Sophomore Class fundraising officer.
Jason Seward, who coordinates the program, says that preference for the Opus program is given to rising sophomores and juniors with student account balances of $2,000 to $3,000 who also demonstrate a commitment to academic studies and campus involvement.
“We seek students for whom extra financial support could really make a difference,” said Seward. “Our campus gains additional workers and the students benefit from the experience. We’re extremely grateful to The Landmark Foundation of Norfolk for providing valuable resources that afford deserving students, like Dazjae, the ability to continue their education at Virginia Wesleyan.”
Johnson says her experience has been amazing. From painting walls to readying residence halls, she has been up to the challenge and appreciative of the support.
“I’ve had the opportunity to learn about the work of the physical plant and all they do to keep our campus running,” said Johnson. “I also feel as though the Opus Program creates bonds between students who participate in the program. And it’s made me appreciate my academics more.”
The program is a part of a comprehensive strategy to narrow the gap and increase retention. According to Dr. Miller, the University has initiated a six-part strategy:
- Tuition Freeze (for 2018-19 and 2019-20);
- Expanded the work program via the Opus program;
- Expanded endowed scholarships via the Batten Honors College;
- Establishment of a low-cost January Term (required for freshmen and optional for upper-class students), online classes, summer school;
- Established the TCC, Virginia Beach, concurrent enrollment partnership for Virginia Beach residents;
- Fifth-year guarantee.
Additional information about these programs is available on the University’s website: www.vwu.edu
For more information about the Opus Student Work Program, contact Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs Jason Seward.