Editor,
It is unfortunate that a report I made to the Board of Regents Student Academic Affairs Committee about employees who want to retire from UNM was misconstrued by student reporter Ryan Floersheim in the Wednesday, Nov. 6, Lobo article "Program's accreditation makes committee agenda" to suggest I meant all employees of "retirement age."
Though this phrase is used twice in the article, I never uttered these two words next to each other or in the same sentence. I take issue with this because the connotation is that I was referring to workers near or over 65 years old.
But, I have always understood that, if someone began working in New Mexico's educational system at age 18, they could retire with full benefits after 25 years of service, which is 43 years of age. My report concerned people who wanted to retire, but felt it was necessary to stay beyond retirement eligibility to retain tuition benefits for their children. The Dependent Education Policy #3785 appears to allow an employee who works for a couple of years at UNM to qualify for eight semesters of tuition as long as their dependent started at UNM before the employee left.
Yet, those who dedicate 25 years of their lives to UNM wouldn't qualify for the benefit if their dependents had not started college before they retired.
Staff Council is finding a significant number of staff and faculty who are concerned about paying tuition with a retirement income. Staff Council is working to promote a revision of the policy. The advantage could be increased student enrollment. And an employee who retires after 25 years normally would be replaced by someone earning less money and the payroll savings could help pay for the tuition benefit. These are the real points I was attempting to make in my report.
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Unfortunately, I must apologize for the use of the term "moss." Let me be clear that in no way did I mean to disparage the older workers at UNM - of which I am most certainly one - or the very significant contribution the experienced worker makes to our community. Rather, those who know me recognize this as my occasionally glib way of speaking, a style that sometimes results in my intent being misunderstood.
I regret the consternation this appears to have generated, especially since much of my work with the Staff Council is directed toward accomplishing just the opposite of what the Lobo article suggests. It is unfortunate that the substance of my report was missed and a stray comment at the very end of a report was used as the main story line.
I invite anyone genuinely interested in the real goals and workings of Staff Council to attend our monthly meetings or, better yet, join the council as a grade or precinct representative.
Patrick Kiska
UNM Staff Council president
