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1,000-Person Line to Pick Up Paychecks

Photo credit: Alex Acosta/The Famuan Florida A&M University personnel and student workers stood in lengthy lines for hours waiting for paychecks and pay warrents.

By Anthony S. Ray Jr.
Black College Wire

A line of some 1,000 employees snaked through Florida A&M University's Grand Ballroom to comply with a school-wide payroll audit ordered by Interim President Castell V. Bryant.

Bryant ordered employees to pick up their paychecks and direct-deposit slips with the appropriate identification. The president's memo was circulated throughout the university March 30.

However, Bryant did not inform employees about the procedures for receiving the checks.

First, they had to stand outside in a line that curved into the Student Union and looped around the fitness center.

Next, they had to move to a line separated in sections by the first letters of last names to receive a Payroll Audit Verification Form, and to sit down and complete the form.

Then, employees had to stand in another line determined by last name, where they turned in the form and finally received checks or employee-earning statements.

Among those in line was LaNedra Carroll, university director of public affairs.

"This payroll audit is common practice at any business and organization," she said.

Carroll also said two days were allocated for the process, but people chose to wait in line on March 31.

"This is unprofessional. We are out here in the rain," Shanae Eppinger said. Eppinger, 20, is a business administration student from Miami.

"If people choose to stay here longer than two hours, we will probably accommodate them with water," Carroll said.

Bryant gave her reasons for the audit in a press release March 31.

"The payroll audit is a common practice that will help the university end the fiscal year in the black," Bryant said. "It is just another measure that we are taking here at the University."

A source who did not want to be identified for fear of losing employment called it "a tedious process."

"People have children to pick up. If you don't pick up your check by tomorrow, you can be terminated or written up."

Janie Greenleaf, human resource administrator, said of those in line, "We are here to accommodate them and to service them."

Donald Beckwith, equipment manager for the department of music, said, "The entire music department was standing in line at 2 p.m."

Beckwith said 2:30 p.m. was the designated time to assist FAMU employees. He said if people came without the proper materials, they would be turned around.

Anthony S. Ray Jr. is a student at Florida A&M University who writes for the Famuan. He can be reached at [email protected]

Posted April 4, 2005