Allocation Process
During the Fall term, the Work College Program Office begins the allocation process for the upcoming summer and academic year. The Program Office reviews each department's utilization over the past three years and typically sends departments a preliminary placement based on that history. Departments can then review this placement and provide additional context or rationale if they need more students. Departments may also reduce their allocation if they believe they have more positions than needed.
In some years, the Program Office conducts a zero-based allocation instead. In these years, departments are asked to set aside their current allocation and start with the learning itself: reviewing the work-learning opportunities within their department and, from a learning-first perspective, determining how many roles are genuinely needed to support meaningful student development.
The Systems and Operations Coordinator performs preliminary calculations. The Dean for the Work College Program then reviews these calculations and meets individually with each divisional Vice President to discuss allocation requests and adjustments for the upcoming academic year.
Starting with the 2027-2028 allocation process, secondary allocations will no longer be available. Departments that have relied on secondary allocations to meet supplemental needs should plan accordingly, as this option will be phased out. This change reflects a shift toward a more sustainable, learning-focused allocation model, in which each student's primary position is the central and consistent site of their work-learning experience.
It is important to note that a portion of the total allocation is always reserved for community service-oriented positions. This reflects a core part of the program's mission and is also a requirement of the Federal Work Study Program and the Work Colleges Program.