… for affordable health care. And by “your” we mean the university employees facing a 160% increase in their HMO premium, effectively pushing many off the Wesleyan plan.
There’s a new video online with footage from the Nov. 17th rally in Usdan and an interview with Ginny Harris, the union steward.
Check it out on the ‘tube today:
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The person speaking was mis-informed. Wesleyan, as an NCAA Division III institution, is barred by the NCAA from giving athletic scholarships. The NESCAC would ban this even if the NCAA DIII didn’t. It’s true that the Lombardi Broadway benefit show did raise money for athletics (in addition to financial aid!!!!), that money supports the operating budget, not scholarships. Wesleyan only gives need-based aid, we all know this.
Wesleyan cut its athletics budget – the Lombardi performance helped offset that.
I would check the video of the event for the characterization of the benefit proceeds.
The Lombardi event – “athletics and scholarships for needy students.” I don’t understand what the question is here. Wesleyan is prevented by NCAA regulations from giving athletic scholarships. It doesn’t give them, end of story. Need based financial aid only. What more do you want?
I think the point is that workers want to insure their families and still pay the rent. I believe that is what is wanted. I don’t see how fundraising and providing sufficient salaries and benefits for basic coverage are mutually exclusive, but the talent for one indicates the potential for both. It is a question of priorities, and hopefully recent graduates remember the support that the staff provided to them in all of their pursuits– academic, athletic and otherwise–and have some appreciation for their contributions and their role on campus.
I thought as a Division III NESCAC school, Wesleyan could not offer athletic scholarships, so what is the deal with that? Good for you Wesleyan folks for being proactive on this health care issue.
I thought as a Division III NESCAC school, Wesleyan could not offer athletic scholarships, so what is the deal with that? Good for you Wesleyan folks for being proactive on this health care issue.
is this increase a direct result of obamacare kicking in in 2011? aka is this increase widespread or is this a specific issue relating to wesleyan not being able to balance its budget? just curious.
This initiative to realize savings from the union members by raising their contribution to their benefits predates the last negotiations, which predate Obama’s election and any inkling about the economic crisis. It is simply looking to the bottom for the savings to do what they want at the top.
Which University administrators are the ones who actually made this decision?
Which University administrators are the ones who actually made this decision?
I really was trying to give the Wes administration the benefit of the doubt until I heard the line about athletic scholarships. Really? What school is this?
The administrative staff, both union and non-union, do an amazing job keeping Wesleyan running smoothly. Is it too much to ask for a sliding fee scale on the healthcare benefits like other prestigious universities do?
fantastic video for an important movement. well done Zach!
My health care cost will literally TRIPLE come January 1, 2011. From $42 per week to ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS A WEEK. When the University unrolled its “Are You Wesleyan?” campaign, did they not care who would be taking care of those students once they got to campus? Are we, the staff, not Wesleyan?