University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
UpDate - Vol. 16, No. 19, Feb. 13, 1997
UD recognized as leader for its 'family friendly' programs

     The University of Delaware has been designated one of the
top "family friendly" institutions in the country, based on its
programs and policies in place to make the work environment
supportive of employees' personal lives.
     A study recently released by the College and University
Personnel Association (CUPA) and the Families and Work Institute
ranked UD in the top 29 "Leadership Campuses" in the nation in
terms of family friendliness. "Leadership Campuses," according to
the survey, have at least 30 programs or policies designed to
help employees balance their personal and family life with work
responsibilities.
     Those policies can include everything from faculty stop-and-
start tenure clocks, tuition assistance, flexible spending
accounts, employee assistance programs and wellness programs.
     Based on responses to a questionnaire about policies,
programs and campus culture, each responding institution was
assigned a score that reflects overall interest and activity in
addressing work-family issues. Those institutions that scored in
the top 25 percent of respondents were designated "Leadership
Campuses."
     "I am very proud that our University has been recognized for
the many outstanding programs we have to help employees balance
their work and family interests. For a number of years, we have
worked with faculty and staff to put these policies and programs
in place and it is gratifying when a national association
recognizes our accomplishments," Maxine Colm. vice president for
administration, said.
     Some of the programs at UD include:
       * A Faculty/Staff Assistance Program that offers personal
  counseling, support groups, seminars and a resource library;
       * An Employee Wellness Program that provides every
  employee with 50 Wellness Dollars for fitness, nutrition and
  wellness programs;
       * Part-time employment with benefits;
       * Job sharing;
       * Flexible work schedules developed with supervisors;
       * Time for dependent care (family leave, maternity leave,
  sick leave, vacation leave);
       * Sabbatical leave;
       * Stop the clock tenure policy;
       * Child-care options at Girls Inc. and the Girl Scouts;
       * Referral resources for child care;
       * Referral resources for elder care; and
       * Family friendly benefits, such as multiple health-care
  choices, flexible spending accounts, child-care discounts,
  tuition remission, a course fee waiver program and family
  health and dental subsidies.
     "I think the University emerged as a 'Leadership Campus'
because we have so many programs that touch on so many areas,"
Nancy Wallace, benefits, said. "In developing programs, we use
resources from all over the campus, not just the benefits
office."
     "With the workforce undergoing such a dramatic change in the
last decades with increasing numbers of women, minorities and
elderly, a workplace has to be creative in recruiting and
retaining employees. The integration of work and family issues
has become increasingly important," Wallace said.
     "Thirty years ago, the issues of work and family were fairly
separate. Now, to stay on the cutting edge means taking each
employee, each person, as a whole.
     "Chances are, if there are issues and conflicts in one area
of a person's life, they are going to spill over into the work
area. For employers, it's best to be able to provide support and
places where employees can get help," she added.
     CUPA is an international membership organization
representing more than 6,100 human resource administrators at
more than 1,700 colleges and universities. The association
promotes the effective management and development of human
resources in higher education.
     The Families and Work Institute is a nonprofit organization
that addresses the relationship between work and family life. The
institute is committed to finding research-based strategies that
foster mutually supportive connections among workplaces, families
and communities.
                                             -Beth Thomas