Dean Hinkson and Chief Operating Officer Robert Goldberg announced today that, in line with Columbia’s efforts, Barnard College will raise the minimum wage for students working for Barnard. The change, to be indexed over three years, will raise the minimum wage for student workers to $15 per hour by September 2018. Starting next September, the minimum wage will be $12 an hour, which is a pay raise for about 70% of student workers. The full announcement is copied below.

Dear Members of the Barnard Community,

We are pleased to announce that Barnard College will be raising the minimum wage for student workers employed by the College to $15.00 per hour over the next three years.  The increase will be implemented incrementally: first to $12.00 per hour effective September 6, 2016; then to $13.50 effective September 5, 2017; and finally to $15.00 effective September 4, 2018.

By increasing the minimum wage to $12.00 per hour this year, we will positively affect nearly 70% of all student jobs on campus. Our multi-year commitment accelerates the timetable established in the recent law passed by the State of New York.

The College recognizes that New York City is an expensive place to live and study.  Our student employees make vital contributions to academic and co-curricular life on campus each and every day, and should be compensated fairly for their work.  We appreciate the passionate efforts of student advocates who helped put this issue on the agenda and engaged with us in productive discussions about wages and income inequality in general.  We look forward, as always, to continuing these discussions.

Sincerely,

Robert Goldberg
Chief Operating Officer

Avis Hinkson
Dean of the College