Program Shut Down at WSC | Video

Chris Williams | 9/20/2012

Foreign exchange students account for one quarter of the employees at Albertsons, and there is no question how important they are.

"The responsibility retail in this community is getting larger it`s basically a need for us. It`s not even a question of whether it helps us or not, it`s actually a great need for us," said Albertson`s Store Director Chris Allred.

Without that need being filled, customers will could see some changes in the store.

"Right away they would notice that there’s not enough people to be out there assisting them in finding things. You`d notice that some of the product is not full all of the time," Allred added.

The program started a few years ago, and had five to ten foreign employees. It quickly grew to more than 200.

"As things grew in town, we had increasing requests from community and business leaders to help out with what is currently taking place in terms of our need for employees," said President of Williston State College Dr. Raymond Nadolny.

The chancellor says Dickson Hall, where the students were staying, was inadequate housing.

"In Williston, for a three month or four month experience we thought maybe it was adequate camp housing, but I think that the line of reasoning from the university system, I can certainly respect and understand," added Nadolny.

The building is old, but with housing in Williston in such high demand you have to do what you can to keep up.

"In Williston when we`re looking at what`s taking place, and we hear community responses, we`re going to ask. We asked, and we were able to do this for awhile and the decision was made not to," Nadolny added.

Allred understands the hard decision Dr. Shirvani had to make, but says it will affect Williston.

"When you think about what the right decisions are for the community we need people to be working in retail. It doesn`t make as much money as other industries, particularly in this community," Allred added.

A new group of foreign exchange students was planning to come later on this year.

COMMENT ON THIS STORY

BACK TO NEWS | BACK TO WILLISTON STORIES