The Whitworthian

Issue date: 10/9/07 Last Updated: 10/8/07

Starting Jan. 1, Whitworth students will be earning $8.07 an hour at their minimum wage jobs.

2007's wage is $7.93 an hour, 14 cents less. Even so, Washington has the highest minimum wage in the nation.

Freshman Kyle Broeckel works in the print shop.

"The minimum wage in Washington is already higher than in California, where I'm from, so it's just like icing on the cake," Broeckel said. "As long as I'm making money, I'm cool."

According to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, the Washington state government is required to recalculate the minimum wage every year, based on the estimated cost of living for workers 16 years of age and older.

Coordinator of Student Employment Laurie Armstrong-Sargent said Whitworth knew about the upcoming minimum wage review and planned for it.

"Gordon Jacobson, director of Career Services, knew the minimum wage would be increasing and factored that in when building the 07-08 budget," Armstrong-Sargent said.

About 500 on-campus jobs are available, most of which pay minimum wage. Armstrong-Sargent said a few have higher pay, but generally require additional training or expertise.

"Training is provided by departments," Armstrong-Sargent said.

One student in such a job is junior Andrew Goodwin, who works as a lifeguard.

"I'm already being paid above minimum wage, so the law won't really affect me," Goodwin said.

Contact Gabrielle Vaughn at gabrielle.vaughn@whitworthian.com.

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