Education
Perks of Working in Higher Education M
any corporate entities may brag about retaining talented employees with perks above and beyond the standard benefits package. One sector, however, consistently of-
fers outstanding perks to its employees yet rarely gets the press -- higher education. Bob Freeman, director of human resources for Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, IA, agrees, ”After wor- king in human resources in the business world for 17 years prior to working in the world of academia for the last two, I can state without hesitation that I have a renewed energy and passion for my profession. I owe this to the employee-friendly environ- ment a college or university affords its employee base.” Colleges and universities can offer a full range of unique be-
nefits by leveraging their existing investments -- usually targe- ted for the student population -- and translate those offerings to a positive employee experience. For the most part, these perks are not the exception, but the rule. The result is a productive workforce that easily balances work and personal life. Take a look at some of the benefits that make working in higher edu- cation so attractive:
Convenience Look no further than the campus athletic, wellness, or stu-
dent center to find exactly what you need to take care of your health -- and your daily ”to do” items. Hard to find time to exercise? Not when it is right where
you work. Red River College in Winnipeg, Manitoba, offers all recreational facilities for faculty and staff to use, including classes such as yoga and tae-boxing, as well as an indoor run- ning track. At North Harris Montgomery Community College District
in The Woodlands, TX, employees who engage in a minimum of three hours of exercise each week receive up to an hour and a half of release time from their duties to participate in such activities. Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, MI,
offers access to its athletic facilities for employees, spouses, and dependent children at no cost. Discounts to a local golf course are also provided. Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, IN, actually pays its employees and their spouses to work out. Employees and their spouses can earn an extra $150 each per quarter for meeting basic exercise requirements. Neil A. Rush, director of human resources shares, ”The wellness incentive has not only helped in containing group health-insurance costs, but it provides a nice vacation fund for many families.” Almost all campuses provide a thriving student-center area
that includes access to several restaurants and convenience sto- res. Barnard College in New York, NY, even offers access to
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darkroom facilities, piano practice rooms, and a New York City Ticket Booth. Employees at Cabrillo College in Aptos, CA, can take ad-
vantage of the Farmer’s Market ”Shop with the Chef” Series on campus. Employees not only have access to fresh seasonal produce, but they also have the opportunity to meet professio- nal chefs from local restaurants, caterers and cookbook authors who give cooking demonstrations throughout the summer. Em- ployees can also meet the farmers who grow the food and learn how to use fresh seasonal ingredients.
Education
College is expensive – but not if you are employed in higher education. The tuition benefits alone are hard to beat. Compa- nies may try to hire employees who currently work in higher education, but if that employee has one or more children and/ or a spouse taking advantage of a free education -- good luck convincing him or her to leave the institution. At Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI, not only can em-
www.blackeoejournal.com The Black E.O.E. Journal by Tracy Williams
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