News in brief for week of March 5
Written by Crow's Nest Staff, Mar 6, 2012, 0 Comments
The Student Government Senate agreed to transfer $60,000 out of its capital improvement fund to assist in building a multi-panel array of digital video displays in the new Multi-Purpose Student Center.
The digital display, known unofficially as the “wow wall,” will give student organizations and administration the opportunity to advertise campus events in what will become the dining area of the new building.
The Department of Student Affairs brought in an outside consultant from the University of Colorado Boulder to help pitch the wall to the Senate and staff members. The total cost for the installation is expected to be near $180,000.
Despite initial reluctance, several senators passed the bill because no competing visions for the money were presented even after weeks of behind-the-scenes grumbling.
For its contribution, SG will receive one-third of the income earned by the display if it is made available for outside advertising.
Most servers, bartenders and other tipped workers would see a decrease in their paychecks if a Florida Senate bill proposed by the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association makes it through the legislative process.
The bill, SB 2106, gives employers the option to pay the $2.13 federal minimum wage for tipped employees rather than Florida’s minimum of $4.65.
Employers will only be eligible to lower the pay rate if they guarantee an hourly pay of at least $9.98 through tips. If an employee does not make an average of at least $9.98 per hour, the employer is obligated to make up the difference.
Supporters of the bill, including five-sixths of the Commerce and Tourism Committee, say it gives the hospitality industry more payment options and will guarantee a better wage for tipped employees.
For tipped workers making over $9.98 per hour, the bill would reduce their hourly pay by $2.52.
Relying on tips as hospitality workers’ primary income is a phenomenon of the United States and Canada. Some cultures, including the Japanese, consider tipping rude. Other cultures add the service charge into the cost of food or include it as a service charge on the bill.
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