114 Reason

1. Health benefits—Vanderbilt offers arguably the best medical benefits of any major employer in the area, with a choice of health plans, including both Preferred Provider Organizations and Health Maintenance Organizations. 322-8330.

2. Retirement plan—This is a good deal. The retirement plan is mandatory for staff and faculty after one year of service when staff work at least 20 hours a week or faculty have a full-time appointment. There is a mandatory retirement contribution of 3 percent (6.47 percent for VMG members) and it is matched at 3 percent, whether the individual has to put in 3 percent or 6.47 percent. And another two percent is matched dollar for dollar. There are more than 2,000 investment choices, so you can tailor your retirement fund to meet your needs. 322-8330.

3. Free use of libraries—People who work at Vanderbilt can use their staff ID card or badge as a library card that gives them access to all the libraries in the University system—hundreds of thousands of books, journals, and videos full of stories, pictures, and facts. The collective memory of the human race and the riches of the world. Central: 322-2800. Eskind Biomedical Library: 936-1410.

4. Bookstore discounts—If you decide you’d rather buy a book than check it out for free, staff and faculty get a 10 percent discount at Vanderbilt Bookstores. This also applies to cool stuff like T-shirts and other Vanderbilt gear. Rand: 322-2994. Medical: 322-3348.

5. Personal Spending Account for medical expenses and dependent day care expenses—Full-time staff and faculty can hold back a portion of their pay, pre-tax, to pay for medical expenses or for day care for children or dependent older adults. This puts worth-more, pre-tax dollars to work on these predictable expenses. 322-8330.

6. Flexible Reimbursement Account—People who have worked full-time for Vanderbilt for five years have $25 per month deposited in their FRA. This money may be used for dental, hearing, vision, and medical expenses. 322-8330.

7. Really good coffee—There are coffee stands with both fancy brews and the ultra-potent wake-you-up-from-a-coma stuff in the Courtyard Café, hospital and Medical Center North lobbies, as well as at the Rand Dining Hall and the Hill Student Center at Peabody. There are also Fido’s in Hillsboro Village and two Starbucks within walking distance. You have no excuse forsleeping on the job.

8. Tuition discounts for children—Eligible dependent children may qualify for tuition benefits if you have been a full-time member of the Vanderbilt staff or faculty for the past five continuous years, or have equivalent service at another accredited college or university within three months of joining Vanderbilt. For Vanderbilt, the discount is 70 percent; for courses at other accredited universities or colleges, the benefit is tied to that school’s tuition amount. 322-8330.

9. Tuition discounts for spouses—Spouses of staff and faculty members can receive a 47 percent tuition discount. This applies to a single three-hour course per semester, including a fourth hour for lab, if applicable, provided they are not pursuing a degree and are not enrolled in a full-time program. 322-8330.

10. Tuition discounts for staff and faculty—Staff and faculty receive a 70 percent tuition discount for one course per semester. The course doesn’t have to be job-related, and can be in pursuit of a bacheor’s, graduate, or professional degree. So you can work here and pursue your education at the same time. 322-8330.

11. Free course auditing for staff and faculty— You may audit one Vanderbilt class, and tuition will be waived. This applies to any course of up to three hours per semester, including a fourth hour for lab, if applicable. You must have the instructor’s permission to attend. 322-8330.

12. Help with courses at other institutions—The Vanderbilt tuition reimbursement is not just limited to Vanderbilt. It also applies if, with your supervisor’s approval, you take a job-related course at another accredited institution. If you get a C or better in the course, 70 percent of your tuition (up to 70 percent of the equivalent Vanderbilt tuition, whichever is less) will be refunded. If the course is job-related, you get a tax benefit, too. What is “job-related”? Check with Human Resource Services. 322-8330.

13. Tailgate—Every fall there is a University-wide tailgate party, featuring food, games, getting together with family, and a Vanderbilt football game. It’s quite a blowout.

14. Proximity to West End—Vanderbilt is in a great location to get things done during lunch—including renting movies at Tower or Blockbuster, picking up a gift at Scarlett Begonia or Borders, or getting your bike repaired at Cumberland Transit.

15. Blair concerts—Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music has several concerts or recitals a month featuring faculty and guests. For music lovers, having this many talented people performing here is a real treat. 322-7658.

16. Occupational Health Clinic—For everything from on-the-job injuries to a case of the sniffles, OHC provides acute care visits for staff and faculty at no charge. 936-0955.

17. Rites of Spring—Every spring there are several days of music and gaiety perfect for getting out in the warm sunshine and letting the winter bake out of your bones. 322-2471.18Life Insurance for staff and faculty—Staff and faculty have group term life insurance equal to annual salary as part of their benefits package. Those who wish to purchase more may do so, up to an additional three times annual salary. 322-8330.

18. Life Insurance for staff and faculty—Staff and faculty have group term life insurance equal to annual salary as part of their benefits package. Those who wish to purchase more may do so, up to an additional three times annual salary. 322-8330.

19. Campus Rec eligibility —Memberships in the Campus Recreation Center—a comprehensive state-of-the-art exercise facility—are available to staff and faculty and their families. 343-6627.
20Sarratt Cinema—Good movies several times a week are shown in this attractive theater. Good popcorn, too. 322-2425.

21. The Campus— The Vanderbilt Campus is—let’s not mince words—beautiful. It has 330 acres, 6,400 trees, and 220 buildings, and is classified as an arboretum by the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta. The Peabody section of campus has been a Registered National Landmark since 1968. Both the Peabody and main campuses are wonderful places to walk through the shade, sit in the sun, or listen to birds in an oak. And this is your workplace.

22. A month off a year—After five years of service for salaried staff and six years for hourly paid staff, the minimum amount of vacation anybody who works here full time gets is three weeks, which, combined with the holidays and personal days you get off, adds up to more than a month of days off every year.

23. Discounts at Vanderbilt Optical—Staff, faculty, and students get 15 percent off at Vanderbilt Optical Services, located on the eighth floor of Medical Center East. 936-1340.

24. Dayani discount—Memberships at the Kim Dayani Center—including classes, use of exercise equipment and pool—are discounted to staff and faculty. 322-4751.

25. Discounts on athletic tickets—Staff and faculty are eligible for discounts on Vanderbilt football and basketball tickets, to be granted on a space-available basis. Limit is two adult and two children’s tickets per family. 322-3544.

26. Free Personal Wellness Report—One of the many services of Health Plus, the staff and faculty wellness program. A Personal Wellness Report can help identify potential health problems before they become actual health problems, and may point you in directions to help you live a more healthy life. After the initial profile, subsequent years can be completed online at www.vanderbilt.edu/HRS/wellness/hpopintro.htm. 343-8943.

27. Free use of swimming pool—Part of the Health Plus package is also use of the pool at the Campus Recreation Center, which is open to HEALTH Plus members at scheduled times on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, around lunchtime every day, and Saturdays. 322-7946.

28. There is a McDonald’s at work—Working only a few steps from those french fries can be a blessing or a curse. Look at the bright side.

29. Faculty and Staff Discount Program—A couple of times a year the Medical Center office of Human Resource Services compiles a list of merchants who give discounts and special deals to people who work at Vanderbilt. Giving these folks your business can save you some money. 322-8322.

30. Escort service—We all know it’s a good idea to walk with at least one other person after dark. Or use the shuttle buses. But sometimes that’s not possible, and for those times, the Vanderbilt Police provide an escort service to get people safely from buildings to their cars. 421-8888.

31. Safety Fair—Twice a year the VUMC Learning Center hosts this event dedicated to teaching employees how to be safer on the job. 322-2081.

32. Work/Life Connections-EAP—A resource of Vanderbilt faculty and staff meeting various life challenges. Confidential, professional assessment, short-term counseling, and referrals to community resources are provided as an employee benefit. Problems may range from personal/work stress, parenting, couples issues, elder care, or family concerns to depression, substance abuse, and domestic violence. There also is a Hardship Fund to help employees who are suffering from temporary financial hardships. 936-1327.

33. Savings at Credit Union—Members of the Vanderbilt Employees’ Credit Union—and all full-time staff and faculty are eligible to join—can have savings deducted from paychecks. With the money going directly into your saving account, it’s easier to save because you never see the money. And the interest rate on the money is better than at local banks. 936-0300.

34. Anytime Teller Machines at work—Convenience is king, with ATMs in The Vanderbilt Clinic, Medical Center North, and other campus locations.

35. Massage therapists at work—There is nothing more relaxing than a good massage, and both Health Plus and the Kim Dayani center have massage therapists available to help work out the tensions of the day. 343-8943 or 322-4751.

36. Music on the lawn—Every year University Events sponsors a concert on a University lawn for Vanderbilt people and their families. It’s an opportunity to bring a blanket or some lawn chairs, a picnic supper, and listen to some fine music in the springtime beauty.

37. Free traveler’s checks—Members of the Vanderbilt Employees’ Credit Union—and all staff and faculty are eligible to join—can get traveler’s checks with no processing fee. 936-0300.

38. Family Swim Nights—Health Plus offers free Family Swim Nights, when staff and faculty can bring a friend or family members and splash around and have fun. 322-7946.

39. Long-term disability insurance—If you are disabled and are not able to work, this coverage picks up six months later, and provides 60 percent of your salary—a key piece of financial security for your family in case something terrible happens. 322-8330.

40. Get a haircut at work—The Vanderbilt Hair Salon in Medical Center North offers quality, reasonably priced haircuts and other salon services and products. And Emma knows everything that’s going on, too.
322-3433.

41. Free skin screenings—The VUMC division of Dermatology regularly sponsors skin cancer screenings, which provide an opportunity to have your skin examined by an expert who can tell you if there’s something you need to be concerned about. 343-7270.

42. Bereavement leave—You don’t want to need this time, but it’s good to know that you can take up to three paid days off if there is the death of a spouse, son, daughter, mother, father, mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister, brother, grandparent, or grandchild. 322-7259.

43. Commodore Awards—People who work at Vanderbilt who have made it a better place are eligible for the yearly Commodore Awards. There is honor involved. There is cash involved. 322-8322.

44. Disney discount—Heading to Disney World or Disneyland? Drop by Human Resource Services first; they have membership cards that are good for discounts on passes, as well as discounts on car rentals and airfares. 322-8322.

45. Discount mammograms—The VUMC Breast Center offers mammograms at reduced cost to Vanderbilt staff, faculty, and spouses. It costs less, and it may save your life or the life of somebody you love. 343-0745.

46. Tai Chi—This Chinese art of gentle movement and relaxation is both physically invigorating and an aid to meditation, and you can take classes in it offered by Health Plus at Light Hall. 343-8943.

47. Child Care—On-site child care services support working parents while providing care and education for the children enrolled. Vanderbilt offers early childhood education/child care at two locations, both sites serving children aged six weeks to 5 years. 936-1990 or 322-8076.

48. Vanderbilt on the web—The Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center websites have information about benefits, links to retirement plan companies’ homepages, health information, and tons more stuff. So if you’re sitting around at 11:30 some night and develop an intense need to learn about vacation accrual, that information is available online.
www.vanderbilt.edu

49. Free vaccines—Those seeking to avoid the flu, not to mention afflictions such as hepatitis B, chicken pox, and other communicable diseases, have a friend in the Occupational Health Clinic. The service offers free vaccines for Medical Center staff and faculty. 936-0955.

50. “Hold the Stuffing” program—”Hold the Stuffing” is an annual program from HEALTH Plus to help staff and faculty avoid weight gain during the holidays. The average American gains weight during the holidays, the average “Hold the Stuffing” participant loses weight during the holidays. Coincidence? You be the judge. 343-8943.

51. Hospital Gift Shop—The Gift Shop on the VUH mezzanine is the ideal place to pick up items from the greeting cards, magazines, candy bar part of the spectrum. Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 322-3422.

52. Yoga classes—Both the Kim Dayani Center and HealthPlus offer yoga classes for those wishing to slow down and limber up. Dayani: 322-4751. Health Plus: 343-8943.

53. Discount orthodontics—The Vanderbilt Orthodontic Center, 3400 Village at Vanderbilt, gives a 10 percent discount for staff and faculty and their families. A payroll deduction is available. 343-0633.

54. Craft classes and work areas—Classes in crafts and arts such as photography, potterymaking, jewelry-making, and weaving are available at Sarratt Center, as are facilities, such as a darkroom and a pottery room. 322-2471.

55. Hepatitis B peace of mind—Medical Center staff and faculty who have completed the Hepatitis B vaccine series can get a free blood test at the Occupational Health Clinic to determine if they have developed immunity. 936-0955.

56. Accidental death and dismemberment insurance—Vanderbilt makes this coverage available to staff and faculty as part of its benefit package. The prospect isn’t much fun to think about, but it’s good to know the coverage is there if it’s needed. 322-8330.

57. Good deals on loans—Members of the Vanderbilt Employees’ Credit Union have access to VERY competitive rates on car loans, boat loans, lines of credit, and other loans. 936-0300.

58. Pharmacy discount—Staff and faculty get a 10 percent discount at the Vanderbilt Outpatient Pharmacy, at 1815 The Vanderbilt Clinic, and the Medical Arts Pharmacy. You can also pay for your purchases via payroll deduction. Outpatient: 322-6480, Med Arts: 936-1040.

59. Great Performances at Vanderbilt—Jazz, dance, classical music, and theater are all a part of the annual programs of Great Performances at Vanderbilt, a catch-all title for a wonderful collection of culture and entertainment. The performances are mostly in VUMC’s Langford Auditorium, and staff, faculty, and students get tickets at a discount. 343-3361.

60. Sick leave is applicable to family members—Vanderbilt sick time may be used to care for family members who are sick, which gets you out of trying to weasel around and claim to be sick when you actually have a sick child. This strikes a blow for the importance of caring for children, as well as for honesty. 322-8330.

61. Chapels available—Rhea Chapel in the Medical Center and Benton Chapel and All-Faith Chapel at the Divinity School are available to staff and faculty for weddings, memorial services, and other events. Rhea: 936 1333. Others: 322-2448.

62. Vanderbilt Dance Group—Classes in all kinds of dancing—ballet, modern, tap, ballroom, even line dancing—are offered to staff, faculty, and students. 322-2471.

63. Check cashing—Cashing a check is easy for people who work here. In VUMC, the Cashier’s office off the hospital lobby is the place to go. If you happen to be at Rand Bookstore, the check cashing office there is on the second floor. VUH cashier: 322-0115. Rand Hall: 322-2994.

64. Proximity to downtown—Vanderbilt is centrally located, which means your workplace is actually near all those trendy downtown joints where trendy people go with their trendy friends. You can even go to lunch and get back in an hour. About.

65. Photography service (and more)—VUMC’s Medical Art Group provides services such as photography (even passport photos), illustration, and graphic design. They do good work. 322-2183.

66. University Club Membership—Staff and faculty are eligible for membership in the University Club, located just behind the Medical Center on Garland Ave. The club offers a daily lunch buffet, dining and meeting facilties, and a bar. Membership for staff and faculty is $30.76 per month after a $50 initiation fee. 322-8564.

67. Free aerobics classes —Lots of them—some low impact, some in water, some early, some late. And all available for full time staff and faculty at no charge. 343-8943.

68. Vanderbilt Concerts—Popular music of all varieties come to campus through the promotion of Vanderbilt Concerts, and staff, faculty, and students get discounts on tickets. 343-3361.

69. Holiday turkeys—The Medical Center, for the past few years, has provided a turkey to its staff and faculty members at holiday time. This is great if you like turkey, but even if you don’t, the extras are donated to a local charity.

70.Vanderbilt University Theater—Student productions of plays, in Neely Auditorium on campus. 322-2404

71. Dental insurance—Comprehensive dental benefits are available to staff and faculty, with two different plans being offered through Human Resource Services. Your teeth will thank you. 322-8330.

72. Discounts at Vanderbilt Swim School—If you have a child who needs to learn how to swim—or if you managed to reach adulthood without knowing how to swim—the Vanderbilt Swim School teaches how to swim, or how to swim better. And there are discounts for staff and faculty and their families. 322-7946.

73. Vanderbilt Art Gallery—Located in the Fine Arts Building (The Old Gym), the gallery features exhibitions from guest artists and displays from the university’s permanent art collection. 322-0605.

74. Campus Copy—Full and self-serve copying and binding are available at both the Rand Hall location and the Chestnut Street location of Campus Copy. You have to pay for the work, but pick up and delivery are free. Rand: 322-6849. Chestnut Street: 936-4646.

75. Get crafty—The Needles and Pins craft fair is sponsored every year by the Medical Center Staff Advisory Council. Its a festival of food, music, and crafts, and the money raised benefits staff and patients of VUMC. 343-2834.

76. Rental of recreational equipment —The Campus Recreation Center has a wide variety of recreational equipment—stuff like backpacks, volleyballs, and camping tents—available for rental to staff and faculty. The Center also organizes recreational trips. 343-6627.

77. Breast Center
luncheons—Every October, in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Vanderbilt Breast Center and the Vanderbilt Cancer Center host a series of informational luncheons designed to provide the most up-to-date information on the fight against breast cancer. 343-0745.

78. Cultural Enrichment—VUMC’s Office of Cultural Enrichment puts on exhibits of art, programs of music, and other activities that make the Medical Center more pleasant for our patients, as well as staff and faculty. Pleasant surroundings are better for patients and the rest of us, too. 936-1234.

79. Life insurance for dependents—Vanderbilt provides life insurance for your spouse and eligible children. Coverage for a spouse is $5,000 and coverage for a child from birth to 19 years (23 years if a full-time student and eligible dependent) is $2,500. 322-8330.

80. Free depression screening—If sometimes you wonder if you may have clinical depression or substance abuse problems, the Work/Life Connections-EAP offers free, anonymous telephone and online screening for staff, faculty, and their families. 800-999-1824 or www.vanderbilt.edu/HRS/wellness/eapts.htm.

81. Movies on the cheap—Discount passes to Regal and Carmike Theaters are for sale for $4.50 at the Medical Bookstore in Light Hall and the Rand Hall bookstore. Rand: 322-2994. Medical: 322-3348.

82. Vacation Wonderlands on the Cheap — Discount coupons and special membership cards available at AA-0204 Medical Center North can get you discounts to Sea World, Busch Gardens, Adventure Island, Universal Studios, Universal Theme Parks, and others. Pretty much everywhere you’d want to go short of Ernie’s Gator Farm. 322-8322.

83. Smoking cessation classes—Smokers who want to be ex-smokers can get help and support at the Kim Dayani Center. Health Plus provides 100 percent reimbursement for program costs to full-time staff and faculty. 322-4751.

84. Sculpture—All around the Medical Center and University are works of sculpture that add to the visual beauty and atmosphere of our campus. 936-1234.
85. “Living” benefit—Yet another example of good coverage that you hope you never need. The “living” benefit is for people with Vanderbilt life insurance with coverage of at least $20,000. If you are diagnosed as terminally ill with less than six months to live, you may apply for an advance benefit of up to half of your life insurance. 322-8330.

86. Help for those from abroad—The Office of Student and Scholar Services is here to help international staff, faculty, and students at Vanderbilt. That help may include immigration matters, orientation, or cross-cultural workshops. 322-2753.

87. Eats around campus—The Medical Center has McDonald’s and the Courtyard Cafe, but it’s possible to branch out culinary-wise, without leaving campus. There are eateries at Rand Hall, the Divinity School Refectory, Carmichael Towers East, Hill Student Center on the Peabody Campus, and Sarratt Student Center—all beckoning to the adventurous palate.
88Proximity to
Hillsboro Village—The Village has great places for lunch, banks, a cook store, a hardware store, a place to pick up some beverages, and lots of other cool places—all within walking distance of the Medical Center.

89. Convenient TicketMaster outlet—If you want to buy tickets to area concerts, sporting events, tractor pulls, or whatever, it’s good to know there is a TicketMaster outlet right on campus, at the Sarratt main desk. 343-3361.

90. Free internet
access—A dozen or so terminals at the Eskind Biomedical Library provide (very fast) internet access. 936-1410.

91. Psychological and Counseling Center—The center provides counseling and psychological services to staff, students, and faculty. There is a fee for most services; insurance sometimes covers some of those fees. 322-2571.

92. U.S. Savings Bonds—Payroll deductions for the purchase of U.S. Savings Bonds are available, and your money can build up before you know it. 322-8330.

93. “Babies and You” program—The “Babies and You” program of Health Plus offers information and support to staff, faculty, or spouses who are expecting. Successful completion of the program also nets the newborn a U.S. Savings Bond, so they have a jump on college costs. 343-8943.

94. Training and Organization Development classes—Human Resource Services’ division of Training and Organization Development conducts classes that help people who work at Vanderbilt learn new skills and further career goals. 322-8320.

95. Weight loss
opportunities —The Vanderbilt Weight Management Program is available on campus to help you lose weight and eat in a more healthy manner. Dayani: 322-4751. Health Plus: 343-8943.

96. Employee Celebration—
September has been set aside to recognize the contributions of employees, and especially to honor those who have served the University and Medical Center for at least 5 years, proceeding in increments of five years up to as much as 45 or 50 years of continuous service. It’s an honor to the people who show up every day, do their jobs well, and make the place special.

97.Reaching for the stars—Dyer Observatory, at 100 Oman Drive (near Radnor Lake), and the Stevenson Observatory, on the 10th Floor of Stevenson Center (next door to Medical Center North), each have programs on astronomical phenomena and make their telescopes available for public viewing from time to time. Get acquainted with some of the local planets, stars, and galaxies. 373-4897.

98. Sarratt Gallery—Monthly exhibitions of works by distinguished artists, available at no charge and within walking distance of the Medical Center. 322-2471.

99. Financial Planning Workshops—
Human Resource Services brings retirement investment companies on campus regularly for educational workshops and to answer your questions related to retirement planning. Some of the programs are free and some of them have a small fee, but all of them can help you best plan how to save and invest for those days when you no longer have to come to work every day. Watch for the campus mail post card invitations. 322-8330.

100. Being involved in things that matter—This is an institution dedicated to some of humanity’s highest callings: healing the sick, scientific advancement, educating others. This is an institution that contributes tremendously to our community—as an institution, through staff, faculty, and students individually, and through our economic impact. This is an institution that contributes hundreds of thousands of dollars to the United Way, gives blood to the Red Cross by the gallons, and gives millions in charity care to those less fortunate in our area. All of us who work here—whatever our jobs—are a part of these achievements, and can take pride in the accomplishments and mission of our institution.

101. Free mulch—
No kidding. There are a lot of field and a lot of trees on the Vanderbilt campus (see number 25) and that means a lot of grass clippings, leaves, and tree limbs to be mulched up. The Building and Grounds section of Plant Services mulches that stuff up, and puts it in a field near the athletic fields on the Blakemore/31st Ave. S. stretch of campus, adjacent to Medical Center shuttle lot 73. By the bucketful or the truckload, it’s a boon to gardeners, and eco-friendly, too. 322-8110.

102. Ergonomic worksite checkup—The Health Plus ergonomist will come to your worksite and check it out to be sure it is as safe as possible. The time to call is before you hurt. 343-9279.

103. Domestic partner
coverage—Vanderbilt extends its health and other benefit coverage to same-sex domestic partners. This is important for gay and lesbian employees, of course, but it’s an important statement about the values of non-discrimination the University stands for, too. 322-8330.

104. If you need to, you can see a doctor fast—The Vanderbilt Family Appointment Program (V-FAM) offers medical appointments to staff, faculty, and their immediate families within 48 hours for the treatment of acute/chronic problems. This doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll see your regular doctor, but you are guranteed to see somebody who can help, and an RN and a patient services coordinator guide you through when you call. 343-8863

105. Nurse and Physician Wellness Programs—Being a health care provider can be stressful, and people who give so much of themselves every day at work sometimes need a little support of their own. The Work/Life Connections EAP has specialized programs for nurses and physicians that are designed to help people in those professions. 936-1327.

106. Hardship Fund—Faculty and staff who are facing a one-time financial hardship can apply for money from this fund to help get back on their feet. Yet another one of those programs provided by Vanderbilt that you hope you never need to use, but it’s nice to know it’s there. 936-1327

107. Pet insurance—Staff and faculty have the option to purchase medical insurance that covers vetinenary care for their dogs and cats, which is pretty good to have if your furred beast needs some major surgery or treatment. 322-8330.

108. Summer Camps—The Vanderbilt campus is brimming every summer with camps to keep youngsters amused and to teach them new skills. There are music camps, a baseball camp, football camp, basketball camps for both boys and girls, soccer camps, lacrosse camp, tennis camp, science camps, and engineering camp, and Capt Rec, which is based at the Student Recreation Center. www.vanderbilt.edu/publicaffairs/community/summer_programs/summer.html

109. Blood pressure screenings—The Occupational Health Clinic and Health Plus offer free blood pressure screenings. Good numbers to know, and easy and free to find out. OHC: 936-0955. Health Plus: 343-8943.

110. Discounts on tennis—Staff and faculty can purchase an annual membership at the Vanderbilt Tennis Center for $50, which is half price over the community rate. So for less than a buck a week, you get free use of one of the nine outdoor courts (some are lighted until 10 p.m.), or use of the indoor courts for the discounted price of $16 an hour. 322-6068.

111. Long Term Care Insurance—this insurance can be purchased for you, your spouse, your parents or parents-in-law and can be used to pay for custodial care when the person covered can no longer care for him/herself. This happens more often than we’d like to think. 322-8330.

112. Access to information—The University and Medical Center work hard to keep staff and faculty informed about what is going on. There are publications, including House Organ, VUMC Reporter, Crossroads, Peer Review, and the Register, devoted to employee features and news. There are annual addresses, including the vice chancellor’s State of the Medical Center address, that keep people filled in on the big picture. And there are the University and Medical Center web sites, which are the gateway to HR information and policies and a plethora of information and links to individual departments and divisions within the University.

113. Golfing at Legends—The University owns the Legends Club golf course in Franklin, Tenn., and the course offers reduced rates to staff and faculty. Greens fees are $45 (you’ll need to book 24 hours in advance), and the staff and faculty rate on regular membership at Legends is a $7,200 initiation fee, with monthly dues of $205 for a single membership or $251 for a family membership. 791-8100.

114. Great co-workers—Vanderbilt has the most diverse workforce in Nashville. You have co-workers from all over the world, co-workers who are facinating people, co-workers who are involved in their communities. And, most important, co-workers who are good people to work with.

114 Reasons why Vanderbilt is a great place to work