The following information is being provided to you on behalf of the New York State/CSEA Partnership for Education and Training. A “paper copy” will follow in the next leadership mailing.

MEMORANDUM

To:  State Division Local Presidents

From:  Peter Trolio and Jeannine Morell, Co-Directors

Date:  July 16, 2009

Subject:  NYS & CSEA Partnership Tuition Program and “Build and Maintain Your Own Computer” Course

The Partnership has recently communicated with over 2000 employees who either received or applied for tuition benefits for the course entitled, "Build and Maintain Your Own Computer" being offered by either Bryant and Stratton or Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES.  This six hour class costs $1600 and included a computer kit at a cost of $800, which these schools combined in with their tuition charge. 

Employees have been informed that the costs of the computer kit cannot be paid for with their tuition benefits.
 
It’s always been the policy of the Partnership’s Tuition Benefits Program to provide payments toward tuition only.  Both the catalog and approval forms state that each benefit covers tuition only, and that charges exceeding that coverage, including all fees charged by the school, are the student’s responsibility.
 
Some members have completed the course already with the full cost covered by two tuition benefit vouchers. As a result word quickly got around that members could get a "free" computer through this course. 

The tuition program is a negotiated benefit with a fixed sum of monies. The State and CSEA have jointly directed the Partnership to re-clarify to both employees and these two schools that effective July 22, 2009 its policy would be fully enforced. Without this action $3.4 million would be spent on this one course alone.  Based on available funds and the demand for this course, the cost of using tuition benefits for this course would jeopardize the existence of the entire tuition program for the last year of the contract (2010-11). 

The Partnership has been dealing directly with both Bryant and Stratton and Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES.  If you are contacted directly by staff from either of these two providers, please refer them to us.
 
Employees are understandably disappointed. You have or will most likely take the brunt of the complaints.  Thank you for your assistance in dealing with this difficult situation.

The Partnership remains committed to offering employees a tuition benefits program that allows for career mobility and job skills development. If you or your members have any questions about this matter, please contact the Partnership at (518) 486-7814.

 PT:GM
c:  CSEA Officers
 CSEA State Executive Committee
 CSEA Deputy Directors of Contract Administration