Wells College
PA-9: Employee Compensation

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According to Kit VanOrman, HR manager for Wells College, compensation is assessed against CUPA (College and University Personnel Association) standards, as well as New York State Department of Labor standards for Cayuga County.

The minimum salary for an entry-level, basically skilled full time employee is $10/hour, 11% above the New York State minimum wage. All full-time employees are fully benefits-eligible, with health care coverage [mostly employer paid with a modest employee contribution], access to low-cost dental and vision care coverage, free parking, access to all campus facilities and services (library, fitness center, pool, concerts, campus events), reduced costs for campus meals, and 2.5% employer contribution toward employee retirement plans through TIAA-CREF. Full-time employees who have completed 3 years of service are eligible for dependent tuition remission at Wells College or at other institutions participating through Tuition Exchange, Inc.

The minimum salary for an entry-level, basically skilled full time employee is $10/hour, 11% above the New York State minimum wage. Part-time employees receive New York State statutory benefits (workers compensation and disability insurance coverage), but are not additionally benefits eligible, except that they may avail themselves of general employee benefits like free parking, access to all campus facilities and services (library, fitness center, pool, concerts, campus events), and reduced costs for campus meals.

Part-time security officers who relieve full-time staff over holidays receive holiday pay on top of regular hourly payments. Van drivers, most of whom work on an on-call basis, are paid $10 per hour. These positions are not additionally benefits eligible, except that they may avail themselves of general employee benefits like free parking, access to all campus facilities and services (library, fitness center, pool, concerts, campus events), and reduced costs for campus meals. When temporary employees are needed, the College contracts with outside employment agencies. For a basic, entry-level, low-skilled job, the College requires that the temporary work receive $10 per hour, with compensation for temporary workers requiring greater or more specialized skill levels (e.g. department assistant) receiving a minimum of $15 per hour or higher. Temporary employees are not benefits eligible except for general employee benefits like free parking, access to all campus facilities and services (library, fitness center, pool), and reduced costs for campus meals.

This group has just voted to be represented as a bargaining unit under the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Until the terms of that union contract are developed/finalized, adjunct and contingent faculty are currently paid based upon credit hours taught: $1,000 per credit hour, so $3,000 per 3-credit course. Part-time employees receive New York State statutory benefits (workers compensation and disability insurance coverage), but are not additionally benefits eligible, except that they may avail themselves of general employee benefits like free parking, access to all campus facilities and services (library, fitness center, pool, concerts, campus events), and reduced costs for campus meals.

As of December 31, 2015, the minimum wage in New York State is $9.00/hour, with few exceptions. All student employees are paid at least this amount, with experienced workers or those working in positions requiring specialized skills (e.g. lifeguard, IT Help Desk worker) paid more. Student employees may only earn up to $1,850 per year.