By Jerry Niebaum, president, KU Endacott Society for retirees

In her blog bit in The Kansas City Star about retiree tickets at the University of Kansas, Barb Shelly assumes that the issue is primarily financial. It is not. It is about loyalty, appreciation, and trust.

Like any good business, KU offers employee benefits. The benefits package is used in recruiting and retaining good employees. The benefits package includes benefits for retirees. By pronouncement on April 1 Provost Richard Lariviere eliminated retiree benefits.

With that decision by a short-term provost with little institutional memory, the university removed KU retiree benefits that had been in place for more than 3 decades.

The following quote is taken from the 1977 booklet of Faculty and Staff Benefits for the University of Kansas: “All retired faculty and unclassified staff are eligible to receive complimentary tickets to the University's concert series, theatre performances, and other cultural events on campus.” For decades KU faculty and staff have supported and promoted cultural events at the university in order to build community and to build a richer fuller life. When Hoch Auditorium burned, the faithful supporters drove to Topeka for KU cultural programs.

When the call was made, faculty and staff responded to help fund the building of the Lied Center. In recognition of their support those contributing patrons were given priority seating at Lied events. Now, many of those who helped fund the Lied construction are retired.

Like me, many retirees purchase at least one ticket with their complimentary ticket and contribute an amount equal to or greater than the value of the complimentary ticket to the Friends of the Lied. In each of the past two years retirees have contributed more than $1.2 million to KU Endowment. And, we have been loyal supporters of Lied Center programs by contributing financially and encouraging others to attend. Our loyalty is now being tested.

This decision is only the latest in a string of retiree benefits reduced or eliminated. First, the complimentary tickets were reduced from 2 to 1. Later, some of the Lied events were removed from eligibility for complimentary tickets. Then, complimentary parking privileges were eliminated. This means that retirees who are still active in departmental activities on a volunteer basis must pay for that service.

In his announcement of April 1 the provost noted that the purpose of the benefits is: “To show appreciation for the work of KU's faculty and staff members …” We must conclude that our work is no longer appreciated. Some retirees believe that the benefits agreement represents a contract. At its very best the removal of staff benefits is a breach of faith.

We believe that this decision will have a net negative financial impact on the institution. Furthermore, the ill will it has created will be long lasting. You may read more about our concerns and activities at our blog site: http://oldku.blogspot.com