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The so-called “Lawrence Busy”—the phenomenon of Lawrence students constantly drowning in work—continues to be one of the central characteristics of this campus. From the moment I arrived on campus, professors and staff warned me about the “Lawrence Busy” like it was some evil force I needed to resist. It’s the problem everyone talks about, but despite years and years of initiatives, the phrase and the culture have stubbornly stuck around. So, what’s the problem? Why are Lawrence students stuck in a perpetual cycle of being overworked?
There are a few obvious answers—for example, Conservatory students and athletes must balance additional coursework or training and competitions on top of their existing workload. But many of these issues come from either broader social issues or inherent traits of the Lawrence campus.
Firstly, many students are forced to work long hours because the wages at Lawrence are too low in comparison to the cost of attendance. While extensive work between LUCC and university administration finally brought a pay raise that will go into effect next term, tuition costs are still extremely high for working- and middle-class students even after financial aid, and with recent inflation for essential goods both on and off campus, this model is unsustainable. For example, I work 20 hours per week on payroll—10 hours as a Community Advisor and 10 hours in a lead position at the Diversity & Intercultural Center. Both jobs are on the higher end of the pay scale, but I still earn an average of less than $10 per hour, which adds up to less than $200 per week and $2,000 per term—which still covers only a little over half of my tuition per term. Cutting back my work schedule by even a few hours can determine whether I can pay my bills on time. As a middle-class student with some merit-based scholarships, I acknowledge that I also have privileges that not all students enjoy, which makes this situation even more outrageous. While these jobs have given me great opportunities for growth and professional development, the tension between wages and tuition is one of the main driving forces behind the “Lawrence Busy” because low-wage labor has become essential for survival.
Lawrence’s limited resources also force many students to spend their time advocating for themselves, both professionally and personally. Lawrence’s location in the Appleton community provides a variety of benefits, but it also makes it more difficult to find accessible professional development opportunities in the area than in a more traditional “college town” like Madison or a large city like New York or Boston. While Lawrence does provide lots of connections with internships across the country, finding these opportunities close to campus proves far more difficult. The limits of the Appleton public transit system and the lack of student positions within walking distance of campus also make it difficult to gain hands-on experience in their fields. To fill in those spaces on their resumes, many Lawrence students turn towards on-campus organizations, which is yet another “Lawrence Busy” trap.
Student organizations have helped me develop leadership skills and build strong relationships, and I strongly encourage students to take advantage of these opportunities. Lawrence is a university rich with student organizations. However, many of those clubs are small groups that cater to specific interests, like a subfield of science or a type of dance. I love seeing these diverse niches getting the platform they deserve, but since college is only a 4- or 5-year cycle for most students, leadership transitions are inevitable. As older members inevitably graduate or leave their leadership positions due to increased courseloads or personal commitments, younger members are often expected to pick up that responsibility so the club doesn’t face dissolution. It’s all too easy to go from a general member in four clubs (fun) to a board member in four clubs (overwhelming) within the course of a year.
The “Lawrence Busy” isn’t the fault of college students that just like doing too much stuff. It’s a byproduct of capitalism exacerbated by the unique quirks of a small university.