Updated 06/08/2012 09:59 PM
U of R Employee Tuition Benefits to Change
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Since the 2006-2007 school year, children of U of R staff and faculty members with ten or more years of service have received free tuition if attending the university, adding up to more than $42,000 a year.
In a recent speech to the faculty Senate, University president Joel Seligman announced that as of 2013, faculty and staff will be responsible for paying an amount equal to in-state tuition at the SUNY universities, a little over $5,000 a year, and the university would provide the rest.
Glenn Cerosaletti, a faculty member, says although he understands the hard economic times the university is facing, it's a disappointment that will affect him and his family going forward.
“As a fifteen year faculty member, the tuition benefits part of my compensation package are a significant part and factor into my families plans for the future,” Cerosaletti said.
As of February 2012, there were 199 employees with 215 children receiving the 100 percent child tuition benefit. University spokeswoman Sharon Dickman says this is a fairly expensive benefit for a relatively small number of people. She says this modification will provide savings to the university and a more competitive benefits program.
This new policy will not affect any child dependent currently enrolled.
For Glenn, who used his benefits package to complete his masters, this change is going to affect his decision process for his children's education.
“Our daughter, who is set on going here in the future, this will change things,” he said. “It creates a disincentive for us to send her here – certainly no incentive.
Glenn says this benefit has been on his mind before he even had children. Now financial aid will play a major role in the coming years.
“Of course, if someone said you can get a top notch research university education for the price of a SUNY tuition, I'd say wow, where can I sign up for that.”
These changes won't go into effect until fall 2013. There will be no changes to the benefit packages for full time employees with five to 10 years of service or part-time staff with six years of service. The exact tuition rate for U of R and the SUNY universities won't be available until March 2013.