On September 4th, 2026, Student Worker shifts at Makerspace facilities (Fabrication Facility, Fashion Lab, and Printmaking Studio) were dramatically reduced because Columbia College Admin is refusing to pay wages for all-day work. 

This downsizing followed the unexpected laying off of half of the full-time Makerspace Facilities faculty: Maddie, Atlan, and H, all of whom were beloved members of the Columbia Community and part of the staff for 10+ years. Because the Makerspaces are half-staffed, facilities are running extremely limited, which will inevitably lead to student issues as school gets busier and increases stress on existing staff. Limited faculty hours will make it incredibly difficult for students to use facilities, as many tools and materials will not be available after class times. 

Limited working hours for Makerspace student workers will significantly affect our lives. Many student workers rely on their wages from Columbia to support themselves, and the downsizing has forced many to urgently seek new income sources, as news of the downsizing was delivered only two days before the start of the school year. 

This petition strongly urges the Columbia College Chicago Administration to allocate more spending for Makerspace student workers. Columbia College has a responsibility to provide for its students who fund the school.