NEWS BRIEF: Working students at Emory demand $15 minimum wage

An advocacy organization at Emory University is demanding an increase in pay for student workers at its campuses. Emory Students for Students issued a letter and a petition signed by 700 undergrads, faculty, staff, alumni and campus organizations, saying the administration must “take concrete steps to enact an increase to a $15 an hour minimum wage for student workers on Atlanta and Oxford campuses.”

The letter argues the current minimum wage is not enough to make a “substantial dent” in the expenses required to attend Emory. Costs include rising tuition, required on-campus housing and a $2,063 meal plan. “I’m paying all my own expenses and bills, and $10 per hour for 15 hours is just not sustainable,” Selma Hassan said. “(It’s) a huge burden on many students who struggle to afford basic necessities that the Emory students from a more privileged background can afford easily.” emorywheel.com