Cambridge passed a $10 minimum wage for all city employees last spring, and Duehay said the symbolic value of Harvard taking a similar step would be even greater.

"The University sets an example for us all," he said. "They set an example for businesses, corporations, MIT--everyone looks to this institution."

The campaign organized the rally in support of the University's janitors, who are currently embroiled in contract negotiations with the administration.

Harvard pays its janitors $8.15 to $9.05 per hour--$16,300 to $18,100 per year--which union members say is not enough to provide for a family.

"We want to say that we are working hard to keep the school clean, but we need something back to support our families," custodial crew chief Freud Saint-Cyr told the crowd.

Union members also said they are afraid the University will turn to subcontracted workers, as many of Harvard's security guards were recently outsourced.

About 25 janitors attended the rally, bearing signs that read, "Greed is a disease and Harvard is a sick institution," and chanting, "Hey Harvard, you've got cash, why do you pay your workers trash?"