The very title of the poster is what the student, who had worked for the College of Liberal Arts as a work scholarship student, had heard from the personnel of the academic affairs department. He was told that, due to reorganization of administration, he should check the notice and re-apply for work scholarship to follow the original rules. However, the student raised a question about the “original rules,” since there was no clear statement regarding work scholarship students.

 

With regard to his objection, the personnel pointed out his attitude in work and notified him that he can work until the end of the September. The school’s answer was unsatisfying to the student. He argued that the students have full right to work as scholarship students. In the poster, he said, “Work scholarship is a contradictory system because students get paid for their rightful labor hours, but the school titles them a scholarship student.”

 

Since the campus wall posters were posted, many students have discussed whether the work scholarship students should be recognized as workers. Choi Myung Seok (12’ Engineering) said, “I think work scholarship students are no different from part-timers. Also, the difference in their wages and the minimum wages is not big. Therefore, they should be recognized as workers and they need to sign the employment contracts.”

 

On the other hand, Kim Ju Seob (’13, Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering) had an opposite view. He said, “Work scholarship students could face some uncomfortable situations because they are not recognized workers. However, if they are regarded as workers, the meaning of scholarship would disappear and the school would not have to recruit students.” He added that improving the regulation of the school is a better solution than applying the Labor Standards Act to students.

 

According to Ministry of Employment and Labor, “It is difficult to prove work scholarship student as a worker under Labor Standard Act. The definition of workers is ‘the people who provide ones’ labor for the purpose of wages.’” It says that although there are some factors that could recognize work scholarship student as a worker, there are more factors that were denied by the labor standards. The examples of these denials are the purpose of the university scholarship business and the recruiting by the selection criteria of scholarship students. It does not recognize work scholarship

students as workers.

 

The work scholarship system has two forms. One is the national work scholarship and the other is the school work scholarship. The two work scholarship forms are differentin many aspects such as scholarship management institution, method of recruitment, and hourly wage. The national work

scholarships are run by the Korea Student Aid Foundation (KOSAF) and they are supported by the Korean government. In 2009, KOSAF established the national work scholarship project to four-year colleges.

 

Anyone can access the information about the system if they visit the website of KOSAF. Information such as the purpose of the business, qualification for application, and selection standard is well specified. Also, work scholarship students are protected by the Fundamentals of Education Act. Compared to the national work scholarship system, however, the system of school work scholarship is disorganized. According to Article 27 of “Scholarship Granting Rules” in the statutes of KU, “Students who provide their labor services such as aids of administrative task will be paid scholarships as provided by the school.” This is the only specified article related to work scholarship system.

 

Overall, there are a lot of opinions that work scholarship students are well treated by the school. Choi said, “The treatment that I received as a work scholarship student is really satisfying.” Kim said, “School and the related personnel tend to accommodate us with study and lessons as much as possible. It is easier to hold down the work and study at the same time when comrared to other work. Lee Ji Hye (’11, Chemical and Biological Engineering) also shared a similar view, “I work for three places as a work scholarship student. Each school personnel has different characteristics, but generally they tend to be considerate of us,” she said.

 

However, most of them agreed that information and rules about the work scholarship system are insufficient. Lee said, “Regarding the selection standards of work scholarship, it would be better if underprivileged are chosen over other students. In addition, since they are also scholarship students, on the part of employers, it would be a rational decision that student’s sincerity, expected work ability, and work attitude should  all considered to become a work scholarship student.” She added, “In particular, the criteria of ‘student’s circumstance’ should be stated more clearly in the school regulation.”

 

Regarding this, Kim said, “Ideally, I think work scholarship students could be protected, based on the Labor Standard Law. Actually, I do not hold a negative stance on the problem because we have already been well without stipulated rules.” On the one hand, he added, “There is no guarantee of insurance if a workplace accident occurs. Guarantee of insurance for work scholarship students is

needed.”

 

Meanwhile, a school personnel of the Business School who wished to remain anonymous said, “Personally, the rules about work scholarship should be more clarified so that the rights of work scholarship students are defended.” The president of Korea University Student Association (KUSA), Seo Jae Woo (‘12, Industrial Management Engineering) said, “Jieum, which is the 47th KUSA, is aware of the problem that recruiting and dismissal of work scholarship students are entirely determined by the school. We think that the rights of work scholarship students should be protected as workers because that is what they are—workers.”

 

He added that Jieum will require the detailed rules of work scholarship on the statutes of KU. Jieum has already asked to meet the Academic Affairs Department. Seo said, “Jieum will assert its opinion that the rights of work scholarship students should be protected while minimizing the side effects caused in the process.” The original purpose of the work scholarship system is good but there are many problems regarding the system. KU administrators should listen to students’ feedbacks and complaints. Moreover, information and rules about the work scholarship system should be provided more specifically by the school.