Board approves student pay increase

October 31, 2008

The Board of Governors has approved a 12 per cent increase in the hourly rate of pay for some students employed by the university, their first pay adjustment since 2002.

The increase covers undergraduate student assistants who provide academic support and students employed by University Advancement in its calling program. Neither group is represented by a union. The change, effective Sept. 1, will see the hourly pay range move to $9.84-$13.27 per hour from $8.79-$11.85.

According to board documents, the rate increase brings the U of S in line with what other universities of comparable size and with similar programs pay their students in these categories of work. It is also required to ensure the university complies with new provincial minimum wage rates which come into effect May 1 next year.

The annual payroll cost increase that results from the change will be about $486,000. The board was also told that because many of the students are employed by researchers, the pay raise will have to be accommodated from research grants.