SCICU joined others in the higher education community in responding to proposed amendments to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), including increases in the minimum salary thresholds and regulations governing the “white collar” exemption for executive, administrative, and professional employees. In a letter to the Department of Labor, SCICU President & CEO Mike LeFever echoed the detailed and thoughtful comments of the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR), which were endorsed by the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and 17 other associations.
While the higher education community agrees that an increase to the minimum salary threshold is due and DOL must update the salary levels and regulations from time to time to ensure the exemptions are not abused. The proposed minimum salary threshold is simply too high, and DOL should reconsider and set a salary level more in line with historic trends. DOL also should phase in the any new salary level over time to allow employers and employees enough time to make adjustments and preparations. This would help mitigate some of the negative consequences related to the salary increase for colleges and universities, their employees and students.
