You may recall that I surveyed our members a while back about what “soft” benefits (like free parking, reduced course fees, library privileges) St. Lawrence College provides, or could provide. I then reported back, after we had a regular MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) meeting with the college, to let you know that St Lawrence wasn’t doing much, and didn’t feel able to do more. In light of the college’s less than encouraging response, it is interesting to note some of the educational “perks” cited in a recent newspaper article (Jaclyn Tersigni, “Perks that make it a prime time of life,” Toronto Star, June 18, 2016).
George Brown College offers students over the age of 65 a 20% discount on all of its continuing education courses (excluding distance education). Humber College students over 65 pay $20 for continuing education courses (with some exceptions). For students 60 and over, York University waives academic fees, up to a maximum of one undergraduate degree and one graduate degree.
These perks are not restricted to retired employees of these institutions; they are offered to anyone who meets the age requirement. If these institutions feel able to make such an offer, it does make one wonder why St. Lawrence feels unable to extend similar benefits to the much smaller numbers who represent past employees who are still living in the area and interested in taking a course now and then. Something to think about!
These perks are not restricted to retired employees of these institutions; they are offered to anyone who meets the age requirement. If these institutions feel able to make such an offer, it does make one wonder why St. Lawrence feels unable to extend similar benefits to the much smaller numbers who represent past employees who are still living in the area and interested in taking a course now and then. Something to think about!