At the fall State of the Campus Address, St. Edward’s University President George E. Martin announced a three percent increase for benefit-eligible employees, proclaiming “nobody is paid less than $15 an hour on the St. Edward’s campus.”

However, students wages were not a part of the increase.

Currently, all first-year students, determined by credit hours, are paid $8 an hour. The pay will then increase 25 cents a year, stopping at $8.75 for seniors. The last increase was in 2009.

Assistant Vice President of Human Resources Rosemary Rudnicki says the university is committed to staying above the minimum wage, which is currently $7.25 an hour in Texas.

“The main reason students are here is for their educational experience,” said Rosemary Rudnicki, assistant vice president of human resources. “Student employment is here as we provide an opportunity for students to receive training and have a more holistic experience as an individual.”

Rudnicki said wages are looked at annually, calling current rates competitive.

Sophomore Princesleah Aguilera makes $7.25 an hour working as a cashier at the bookstore on campus, a job she started in August.

The bookstore is run through a third-party contractor and can determine its own pay rates. Other contractors include Jo’s Coffee and Bon Appetit.

“We depend on these jobs a lot, and I don’t think we get paid enough,” Aguliera said referring to low-wage jobs in general. “I wish we got paid a little more because we are going to school.”

Aguilera said she works about 8 hours a week, because there aren’t enough hours to go around. Students that work for the university are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week during the school year and 40 hours when school is out.

Freshman Priscilla Garcia makes $8 an hour working as an operation specialist at the Information Desk in Ragsdale. She said students should get paid more, especially those in a supervisor role.

“It’s just pretty sad,” Garcia said. “Those putting their heart into their work should get paid more.”

However, when warranted, some students are paid more than the pay schedule says. But each circumstance is different, Rudnicki said.

“There are some student jobs that require additional skill level that are subject to additional wage,” she said.