Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish a clear and equitable framework for compensating student employees at St. Olaf College. Consistent with our mission as a private liberal arts college in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) tradition, this policy affirms that student employment is both a financial resource and a formative learning opportunity that fosters personal responsibility, skill development, and vocational discernment. This policy applies to all student employment positions funded through institutional, federal, or state sources at St. Olaf College. It also covers all students employed in on-campus positions as well as federally-funded off-campus positions in the Community-Based Work Study Program.
Compensation Philosophy
At St. Olaf College, student employment is an integral part of our educational mission and community life. Rooted in our identity as a liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), we believe that work if a form of vocation—an opportunity for students to learn, serve, and contribute meaningfully to the life of the campus.
In alignment with our mission and Lutheran heritage, St. Olaf College believes that student employment is more than a financial aid resource—it is a formative, educational, and community-building experience. Our compensation philosophy ensures that students workers are valued, fairly compensated, and supported in their holistic growth as learners and leaders.
Our student employment compensation philosophy is guided by the following principles:
Educational Purpose and Development: We view student employment as a high-impact learning experience. Compensation supports the development of professional skills, responsibility, and a deeper understanding of vocation and service in the world.
Equity and Fairness: We are committed to providing equitable pay for comparable work, ensuring that compensation practices are fair, transparent, and free from bias. Pay structures will be based on job responsibilities, required skills, and levels of experience, not financial need or academic major.
Stewardship and Sustainability: As stewards of institutional and federal resources, we seek to balance fiscal responsibility with fair and competitive compensation. Our pay practices comply with all applicable laws and reflect prudent management of college funds.
Market Awareness: Student wages will be informed by lo0cal and regional market labor data, peer institution benchmarks, and federal and state minimum wage requirements. We strive to remain competitive with similar position at comparable colleges and within our Northfield community.
Recognition of Growth and Experience: We value students’ growth over time. Positions that require greater responsibility ,specialized skills, and supervisory duties will be compensated at higher rates to acknowledge increased workplace contribution and learning. 13
Inclusion and Access: We affirm that student employment should be accessible to all students, regardless of financial background, and that work opportunities contribute to a sense of belonging, purpose, and community engagement.
Transparency and Communication: The College will communicate pay structures and job classifications clearly to student employees and supervisors. Supervisors are encouraged to provide meaningful feedback and support students’ vocational discernment through campus employment.
Job Classification and Pay Structure
St. Olaf College will implement two pay structures, each with its own job classifications and wage rates. The Standard Classification and Pay Structure will cover most on-campus positions.
| Tier | Description | Pay Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Tier 1 (ST1) | Entry-level positions requiring basic skills and direct supervision. | $12.00/hour |
| Standard Tier 2 (ST2) | Intermediate positions requiring prior experience, training, or specialized knowledge. | $12.50/hour |
| Standard Tier 3 (ST3) | Advanced leadership positions involving supervision, project management, or specialized technical skills. | $13.00/hour |
The Non-Standard Classification and Pay Structure will cover on-campus positions in Food Services, CURI, Community-Based Work Study, and Summer Camps and Conferences.
| Tier | Description | Pay Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Standard Tier 1 (NST1) | Entry-level positions requiring basic skills and direct supervision. | $13.50/hour |
| Non-Standard Tier 2 (NST2) | Intermediate positions requiring prior experience, training, or specialized knowledge. | $14.50/hour |
| Non-Standard Tier 3 (NST3) | Advanced leadership positions involving supervision, project management, or specialized technical skills. | $15.50/hour |
Note: The Office of Student Activities (Lion’s Pause, SGA, and Programming Board) is a student-run organization that budgets differently from the rest of campus and therefore operates outside the College’s standard student wage structure. They have set the following wage structure for the 2026-2027 academic year:
| Tier | Pay Rate |
|---|---|
| Office of Student Activities Tier 1 (OSA1) | $12.50/hour |
| Office of Student Activities Tier 2 (OSA2) | $13.25/hour |
| Office of Student Activities Tier 3 (OSA3) | $14.00/hour |
Summary Statement
In keeping with our Lutheran heritage and liberal arts mission, St. Olaf College views work as a form of vocation—an opportunity for students to learn, serve and grow. Through fair and transparent compensation practices, the College affirms the dignity of work and supports students’ educational and personal development within a caring and inclusive community. In the administration of its student employment program, St. Olaf College will comply with all rules and regulations related to the Federal Work Study Program, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and all Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and non-discrimination policies of the College.