Working at CSU (Greeley: credit, schools, universities)

[clfloridian]

I applied for a position a CSU that would imply relocating from Florida. I like living in Florida and like my current job but this could be a really good move for my career and family. I was wondering how is it woorking for CSU? Any insight?

[davemess10]

depends where you work at CSU, it's the biggest employer in town, so there are lots of different situation you could be in there.

I was not very happy with my last job there, but that was no fault of CSU, mainly just the department and boss that I had there. The basic benefits were okay, although this depends whether you are a state-classified worker, or a salaried position at CSU.

I was salaried and we had really good sick and vacation time. 5 weeks of vacation a year (also federal paid holidays. and 8 hours of sick time a month (which could only be used for illness/injury and was not cashed out up my quitting). The extra vacation time was cashed out.

Fort collins is great, and CSU is a decent place to work, parking can be kind of lame, but I just rode my bike every day.

[miss anthrope]

Obviously, the department will have a great impact on your experience. One thing to consider (maybe this is the norm for academic institutions?) is that they are a social security exempt institution, which means you do not accrue credits in social security. While it saves you taxes from your take home, it also obviously saves them money in matching... Just something to consider.
Also: no real benefits i.e. access to University events at any great discount.
Football: minimal discount on season tickets
Rec center: minimal discount as well
Most cultural activities: no discounts
Again: no deal breakers, but I have been at universities where faculty and staff were given substantial discounts to sporting events and cultural opportunities as they contributed to the overall community feel. Not the case at CSU.

[phaedra_p]

What about tuition discounts? A friend is considering applying and has 3 kids.

[Julia Garbus]

My experience is at UNC in Greeley. Tuition discounts for faculty and I think for staff. As for social security, my earlier job at UT Austin paid into it, but not UNC. I ended up disabled but couldn't apply for social security disability because I hadn't paid in for the requisite number of quarters immediately before the disability...a real bummer.

[davemess10]

For CSU, I know you, yourself as an employee get a good discount, and some free education credits. As for your children, I don't think there is any discount. But they would be considered in-state after a year or two, and CSU has one of the lowest tuition costs in the country for state schools.