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[slacwriter]

Apologies for cross-posting, but this got 120 views and no replies on "The Administrative Track." I thought maybe this forum would be a better fit...

Okay, this question is especially for Deans, but anyone with a dean-type position (say, either director of a very large program or VPAA at a very small school) is welcome to join in.

What are some benefits/perks you wouldn't do without? Do you have a research assistant so that you can still get some scholarly work done? Do you have an expense account for your own professional development and not just the purse strings for the professional development of faculty in your division? I'm especially interested in benefits/perks you've found A) helpful in maintaining at least a modest research/writing agenda and B) negotiable.

[simplesimon]

Going forward one benefit I would not do without is tuition remission.  My previous institution (a Jesuit school) offered a tuition benefit to dependent children (two, four, or even more).  This benefit could be used at the primary institution--or at any other Jesuit institution in the country.  My current institution does not offer a tuition benefit—to anyone.  I know of one star faculty member here who asked for tuition remission for his children when he came here and was denied, but he negotiated something even better: he got a bigger salary to make up for the absence of a tuition benefit! 

As it happens I do not have children, but the next time I change institutions, I will negotiate two tuition vouchers good for a four year education (I have nieces and nephews) or a corresponding bump in salary to make up for the lack of tuition vouchers.

I think tuition remission should be available to all faculty dependents, but not everyone has the foresight to ask about it.  At the level of dean or above I believe we should insist on it.

[tattletale_heart]

I would fight for support (in terms of BOTH time and money) to continue to pursue academic interests.  What exactly that means depends upon your discipline (i.e. lab time and assistants/support for those in sciences, travel to conferences / for international research for those in most disciplines, etc. etc.).

[madhatter]

In the job I was laid off from in 2008, I was at the VP level. I had negotiated a six month severance package when I came in.

That turned out to be prescient.

[der_gadfly]

I need immediate health coverage (no more COBRA for me).

I need creature comforts (a phone, a computer, the key to the coffee room).

"And that's all I need. Oh wait, I need this chair..." <apologies to Steve Martin>