Discounts available to Adjuncts and other instructors

Prepared by Carlynne Allbee, SDAFA member.  Last update: June 14, 2015
We all hear about people getting discounts of various kinds through their employment, either by going through their employer for the discounts or by being eligible for discounts because of who they work for.  I have found the ones we get as Adjuncts fall into three categories.  If you have additions to this list, please send them to me at samwisebaggins@yahoo.com.

Discounts available by contacting the vendor:

  • Software at a considerable discount is available at the website CollegeBuys.org
  • I found out about this when I was recently buying a new computer and needed updated versions of Microsoft Office and Adobe products.  “CollegeBuys, a program of the Foundation for California Community Colleges, is the only group purchasing program focused exclusively on the needs of Community Colleges.”
  • You do have to supply proof of eligibility, which is really easy.  Use your school email to contact them.  Then for additional proof, I went to the school web page where we submit grades and using the one that listed my classes, I copied and pasted the information that showed my name, semester, classes, CRN’s, etc.

Discounts offered through our unions:

  • If, like me, you belong to AFT Guild 1931, go to the union’s website, then along the top, click on Benefits.

Discounts offered through our employers:

  • SDCCD.  Go to www.sdccd.edu, then select Employee Resources, then Employee Discounts.
    • I would definitely check with CollegeBuys.org to see their prices, which I found to be much lower than the ones offered here on the district website.
    • Cell phone monthly bills: Four companies offer discounts and through this website, you can see their names and who to contact.  I have Verizon and the discount applies to my cell phone, but not my mobile broadband, but it sure helps.
  • Grossmont/Cuyamaca Colleges.  Go to www.gcccd.edu, then select District Departments, then Human Resources, then Benefits.
    • There is a program called Tickets at Work who describes themselves this way: “TicketsatWork is the leading Corporate Entertainment Benefits provider, offering exclusive discounts, special offers, and access to preferred seating and tickets to top attractions, theme parks, shows, sporting events, movie tickets, hotels, and much more.  TicketsatWork is a unique benefit offered exclusively to companies and their employees.”
    • There are other benefits available at the GCCCD website worth checking out.  Some are through the union and some through the district.
  • Southwestern College: Go to www.southwesterncc.edu, then Faculty and Staff (at the bottom of the home page), then I couldn’t find anything.  If you can, let me know so I can add it here.
  • Palomar College: Go to www.palomar.edu, then employees, which takes you to Faculty and Staff.  I couldn’t find a listing for Benefits, but found a page when I searched on their website.  Only found health coverage, so searched for Employee Discounts and found a couple of items
  • MiraCosta College: Go to http://www.miracosta.edu/   I then selected Staff, then Human Resources, then Current Employees, then I gave up and instead searched for Employee Discounts.
    • “With educational discounts, MiraCosta College employees may purchase hardware and other merchandise directly from the following companies.”  They then give links to Dell and Apple.
    • Software discounts are at http://www.miracosta.edu/instruction/ais/its/softwareforpersonaluse.html
    • If you can figure out how to get the staff equivalent of a student ID card, according to the search results: “ID cardholders also receive discounts at various North County businesses such as movie theaters,” but when I click on the link, I cannot find the information.
    • Look over the “other benefits” for other types of insurance.  For example, “This program offers discounts on auto and homeowners insurance.”