Roberts also did not respond to their request for a meeting, instead thanking the students for recognizing the importance of adequate wages, benefits and equal employment opportunities for all workers.

"We will continue in our efforts to balance our fiduciary responsibilities to our students and their families with our interest in promoting standards for good wages, benefits and employment opportunities for trades and service employees and to be fair to all concerns," Roberts wrote.

At a previously scheduled rally two days later, protesters reiterated their demands.

At the meeting, campaign representatives said they will "present a simple demand of a minimum $10 per hour living wage for all service workers at Harvard," Vaeth said.

According to a letter sent by campaign organizers to Rudenstine and Fineberg, "more than 1,000 employees earn less than $10 per hour."

Citing Harvard's $13 billion endowment, Vaeth said he believes Harvard could easily afford the wage increase.

"It'd be a drop in the bucket," Vaeth said.