A pizza and movie party was hosted by BYU–Hawaii’s Human Resources in the BYUH ballroom on Nov. 19 as this year’s iteration of student employee appreciation day.
Lohelani Kim, a freshman studying exercise sports science from Utah working in the Alumni Office, said, “I feel like this [celebration] is great. I’m not asking for much of anything. They pay me and I have a job so this party [was] a good bonus.”
Student employees attending the festivities were given a slice of pizza, a goodie bag containing a full sized candy bar, a box of macadamia nuts, a lollypop, a bag of cookies, and a bag of chips, and could stay and watch the movie, “Nacho Libre.”
“I really appreciate this a lot because they provide a job for me that has really helped me pay for my schooling, and they didn’t even have to throw this party, they just did it,” said Lekima Cagilaba, an undeclared freshman from Fiji who works as a dancer in the PCC night show.
Throughout the celebration, 650 gift bags, 116 pizzas and countless cans of soda were given out, according to Jacob Nihipali, the HR employment and benefit assistant manager.
HR Employment Specialist for student employment Shawn Keliiliki led the planning of the event over two months. It was staffed by 8 members of the HR department. The HR staff was very busy the whole day, said Keliiliki, who continued by saying there wasn’t really a dull moment from beginning to end.
Though those working to keep things running stayed pretty busy throughout the event, this year was significantly toned down from previous years, said Nihipali.
BYUH has held some kind of student employee appreciation event for 10 years, though in earlier years the celebration lasted a whole week and students would receive prizes each day, explained Nihipali.
“In the past we have written [letters] to military veterans. When student appreciation day was near Thanksgiving, we had pie eating contests, but only a handful of kids ever actually wanted to do it. A couple years, we even had a dunking booth,” Nihipali continued.
Nihipali said the celebrating has been downsized because in the past three years there have been budget cuts which have significantly limited the flexibility for the planning staff.
Another cause Nihipali discussed was how the students around campus are busy and most wouldn’t be able to participate in all the activities that would have been planned. Therefore, it was better to keep it short and simple this year.
Another way the school has honored its student employees in the past has been by featuring a “Student Employee of the Month” award. An outstanding student employee would have their picture featured around the school and they would receive a cash reward for their diligent efforts.
Nihipali explained, “bringing back [the employee of the month] has been one of the things we [HR department] have been pushing for, but it mostly depends on out budget.”
Nihipali said the HR department always welcomes feedback and ideas on how the celebration could be improved next year.
Ideas for activities and ways to improve can be submitted at the HR department in the Lorenzo Snow Building.