Graduate students at the University of Minnesota marched Monday to protest what they call ‘exorbitant’ student fees.

In a press release, the group said, "We call into question the significant gap between the highest paid and the lowest paid members of this university community.

"When University of Minnesota President Bob Bruininks is paid over $700,000 a year and a Teaching Assistant who is integral to building and maintaining the educational ethos of this institution earns poverty-level wages, we think something is not right."

The group says most teaching assistants at the university earn less than the living wage for Minneapolis.

They said when fees are subtracted, most grad students in the College of Liberal Arts make less than the income needed to qualify for food stamps.

The march began at noon at the Social Science Tower.