This is an optional Innovation & Leadership credit. These credits recognize exemplary practices and performance above and beyond what is recognized in standard credits and may not be relevant to every institution. Scoring in the Innovation and Leadership section is capped at 4 bonus points total.
Credit Language
IN 37: Student Living Wage – version 2.2
Frequently Asked Questions
How can we determine our local living wage?
This credit is based on a living wage for a single individual (one adult and zero children).
North America
- Living Wage Calculator (US) – MIT. Use the living wage for “1 Adults, 0 Children”. This figure assumes that both adults are working full-time.
- Living Wage Canada
- Low Income Cut-Offs – Canada Statistics
Europe
Australasia
International
- WageIndicator.org
- The local poverty indicator for a single individual (expressed as an hourly wage).
Which hourly wage figure should be used from the MIT living wage calculator?
If using the MIT living wage calculator, ensure that you use the Living Wage for 1 Adult 0 Children.
Example Responses
- University of California, Riverside – Provides documentation on determining a student living wage based on the MIT living wage calculator. Includes supplemental wage documentation.
- University of Tasmania – Provides documentation on determining the student living wage based on the local poverty index (ACOSS). Good reporting example for institutions outside of North America.
Common Issues Identified During Review
- To count, all of the institution’s student employees (e.g., part-time student workers, work study students, graduate research assistants, graduate teaching assistants) must be paid a living wage for one adult. Information to support the living wage percentage must be provided. U.S. institutions: MIT Living Wage Calculator; Canadian institutions: Living Wage Canada; Other institutions: a local equivalent or the local poverty indicator for a family of four.