By Marianys Marte
As of Dec. 31, 2014, employers must pay all employees in New York State at least $8.75 per hour according to the General Industry Minimum Wage Act.
RaisetheMinimumWage.org, says increase reflects a larger trend and more states are expected to raise the minimum wage in the next two years. To comply with the legislation and ensure students are paid the minimum wage, Fordham has also issued a mid-year wage increase for all student workers.
Before the spring semester began, the Office of Student Employment confirmed that Fordham had adopted the minimum wage increase as well. This increase becomes effective with the February payroll and covers the pay period from Jan. 7, 2015, through May 16, 2015. Students were advised to adjust their scheduled work hours to ensure that their work-study funds are balanced. Senior Assistant Director of Student Employment, Rosemarie Raiano, states, “Since some students do not work enough hours to earn 100 percent of their grant, it may increase the number of students earning their full grant. For others they will earn their grant working less hours.”
It is important to note that not all universities comply with minimum wage standards for student workers. According to Fortune, the rate at University of New Mexico is $7.50, 10 cents below Albuquerque’s $7.60 rate. Cases in which student workers earn less than their city’s minimum wage are somewhat rare. While many states are increasing the minimum wage, it is not always the case that universities comply with the legislation.
By December 2015, the New York state budget will increase the minimum wage once again to $9.00 per hour. The NYS Assembly Majority says, “This increase is good news for businesses and our economy because it will jumpstart consumer spending and communities across the state.”
Since students are given a set amount of money that they can make per year through work-study, the number of hours that each student works will decrease. Students are not allowed to work more hours in order to increase their pay, so the wage increase will not result in bigger paychecks for students. This can be advantageous for students as it allows for more time to dedicate to academics.
Students seem to be supportive of the changes. “I am glad that Fordham did increase the wages because it helps my schedule become more flexible,” Leyry Romano, FCRH’17, said. “I work less hours without hurting my paycheck compared to last year so I can dedicate more time to my classes.”
