Even though student workers keep Grand Valley State University’s day-to-day operations afloat, they are still woefully underpaid given comparative minimum wage and inflation rates across the country.
GVSU issued a minor raise of 23 cents per hour starting on Aug. 20 due to a state requirement to increase Michigan’s minimum wage by Jan. 1, 2024. This change, although unrelated to the GVSU student workers protests and petition last spring, reflects an ongoing issue of student wages on campus. GVSU’s starting rate of $10.33 for student workers remains well below MIT’s determination of the living wage in the U.S., and in Ottawa County, Mich., which is about $17 per hour.
Having a job on campus can be extremely convenient for students, especially considering transportation costs. However, it is not enough to cover living costs and tuition for many students.
Cody DeLano, the Financial Officer for GVSU’s Young Democratic Socialists of America (YSDA), said when the minimum wage was established, it was meant to be an income that citizens could depend on.
“Right now it’s not a wage people can really live on,” DeLano said.
DeLano said there are potential benefits to working on campus, but he believes that the pay is too low to really make it worth it for many students.
“Office work tends to be better, having better flexibility, conditions and sometimes an ability to do homework on the job,” DeLano said. “If a student needs a living wage, it would be better to work off campus.”
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