Harvard University is encouraging students to apply for government assisted food programs despite being the wealthiest school in the world.
This after graduate students complained that their yearly $40,000 salary isn’t enough money for them to skate buy. The Harvard Graduate Students Union (HGSU) has submitted a proposal demanding a $20,000 salary increase, stating that $60,000 should be the bare minimum given to each graduate student per year, according to Benzinga.
The request followed a flier that had been sent to graduate students by the Health Services offices in April, which encouraged these “prestigious” students to apply for SNAP benefits.
The flier read, “Fuel your body & stock your pantry. Did you know that grad students may qualify for assistance paying for food & groceries?”
The HGSU explained that graduate students would not need to apply for government assisted food programs if the elitist university increases their salaries.
Graduate students at Harvard have been on strike in recent years, with one of the main reasons being dissatisfaction with their current salary.
With Harvard University being the richest university in the world, the college reportedly has the means to financially support its students. Harvard has an endowment worth approximately $53 billion, which is used by the university to support programs, research, and scholarships, among others, the outlet reports.
The union expressed concerns that nearly 30 percent of graduate students are from foreign countries, which prevents them from receiving federal assistance.
When asked about encouraging students to apply for SNAP benefits, a Harvard spokesperson said that the event was to inform students about the assistance being offered in which also provides them nuritional meals. The spokesperson did not address matters further.
Harvard University has not yet complied with the demands brought forth by the union.