Hampton University president raises school minimum wage with own wallet
Hampton University’s lowest-paid employees will now see a boost in their paychecks thanks to the university’s President.
William R. Harvey and his wife Norma, donated $108,403 to the school in support of a wage increase for 121 permanent, full-time staff members earning less than $9 an hour.
Those receiving increased compensation are primarily housekeepers, maintenance staff members, and cafeteria workers, he said. Virginia’s minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. “All of my life I have tried to look out for all of us, not just best of us, but all of us, and that’s the spirit me and my wife have utilized when we have given our money,” Mr. Harvey said.
The Harveys have a history of donating to the private HBCU. In 2006, they donated $45,000 to support a 5 percent wage increase for staff members earning less than $7 an hour and in 2011, $166,000 to increase minimum wage to $8 an hour.
The most recent donation, which will be included in the university’s budget will cover the increased wages through the end of the year.
What an awesome way to give.
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