Tulane University increased the minimum wage for all staff from $10.82 per hour to $15.00 per hour and increased the minimum hourly rate for student workers from $7.25 to $10.00.

According to a statement by Tulane University President Mike Fitts, “through competitive pay and generous benefits, we strive to honor the critical and essential role our workforce plays in creating, maintaining, and growing our mission as one of the country’s leading institutions of higher education and research.”

The statement also addressed concerns regarding contract workers and pledged to give “special consideration” to renew contracts with service providers that pay a similar minimum wage to Tulane’s new standard or have a plan to achieve a $15.00 per hour rate within a reasonable timeframe.