Today Spec ran a lengthy story by Amber Tunnell about the concessions the University made from the original benefits package offered to Columbia faculty and staff. The original proposed benefits package that the University announced last spring caused outrage among the university's employees. Christia Mercer, Lit Hum Chair, in today's Spec story remarked of the proposed benefits cutback in April, “The recommended changes in April were a disaster. Columbia would have become a second-rate university."
What are the benefits?
Benefits that faculty and staff receive right now that are under dispute are the tuition rates for their children, the number of free credits a faculty/staff member can receive, substantial health care, and housing and retirement plans for tenured officers.
What are the changes?
This handy graphic breaks it down really well.
