Hidden Benefits @ Penn

Financial Programs/Services

• Flexible Spending Accounts - A great way to save money on known dependent care, elder care and health care expenses
  http://www.hr.upenn.edu/benefits/pretax/default.asp
  
  
• Tax-Deferred Retirement Plan - If you choose to make your own contributions to your account, the University will provide Matching contributions up to 5% of your base salary (subject to Internal Revenue Code limitations). http://www.hr.upenn.edu/benefits/retirement/tdr/contributions.asp
  
  
• Credit Card - Bank of America offers Penn faculty and staff Platinum Plus Visa credit cards with a flexible rewards program. http://www.upenn.edu/highlights/faculty_deals.php
  
  
• Enhanced Forgivable Loan - Forgivable loans of up to $7,500, low down-payment, no PMI, 120% financing for homes in a specific geographic proximity to the University.
  http://cms.business-services.upenn.edu/homeownership/enhanced-forgivable-loan.html

• Closing Cost Reduction Program - The Closing Cost Reduction Program (CCRP) offers mortgage financing options with discounted closing costs (.25% of mortgaged amount) to the University Community for the purchase and refinancing of homes.
  http://cms.business-services.upenn.edu/homeownership/closing-cost-reduction-program.html
  
  
• Credit Union - Vacation and Holiday Club accounts, Discounts for New & Used Cars, Free $1000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance http://www.uofpfcu.com/default.htm

• Banking - PNC WorkPlace Banking offers Penn faculty and staff a complete set of money management tools with exclusive features, benefits and rewards. Call or email Debra McAnney today 215-585-7207 or debra.mcanney@pnc.com
  https://www.pnc.com/webapp/unsec/Blank.do?siteArea=/pnccorp/pnc/home/personal/student+banking/university-of-pennsylvania
  
  
• Penn Savers - Pennsavers is a weekly email offering half-price tickets and special discounts for cultural events around the region. http://www.hr.upenn.edu/Programs/Pennsavers.aspx

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Employee Discounts

• Computers - The Penn community receives an academic discount at the Computer Connection.
  http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/computerstore/
  
  
• Cell Phone Service - Cingular Wireless, Nextel, and Verizon Wireless offer discounts on cellular service plans and phones. http://www.upenn.edu/computing/voice/cellular/
  
  
• Cars -
  • You can get discounts on new and used cars by joining Penn’s credit union http://www.uofpfcu.com/default.htm , which requires only a $5 minimum deposit. You are then able to take advantage of the free MVCP [http://www.mvcp.com/home.php] service available to credit union members. NOTE: the  people working at the Credit Union aren’t always aware of this benefit, but the brochures are in the credit union and SOM staff members have successfully taken advantage of this.
  • Ford and General Motors offer discounts on new vehicles to Penn faculty and staff.
    http://www.hr.upenn.edu/programs/cardiscounts.asp
    
    
• Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts - Discounted Tickets (limited) http://www.pennpresents.org/
  
  
• Global Fit - Penn faculty and staff and their families qualify for discounted rates at participating health clubs.
  http://www.hr.upenn.edu/quality/wellness/globalfit.asp
  
  
• Free Movie Rentals - You are allowed to borrow up to 4 movies at a time for 7 days each Van Pelt Library Tip: Browse the online catalog before you go http://www.library.upenn.edu/catalogs/vcat/
  
  
• Ice Rink at Class of 1923 Arena - Discount of $1 off public skate admission price. 3130 Market
  http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/icerink/index.html
  
  
• Compass Program (SEPTA) - 10% discount on Transpasses and Trailpasses (on top of the first $100 being pre-tax) 
  http://cms.business-services.upenn.edu/parking/sustainable-commuting/public-transportation/faculty-and-staff/44-compass.html
  In addition, Septa Pass Perks – This new program (With a weekly or monthly SEPTA Pass only) offers discounts and other perks in and around Philadelphia. http://www.septapassperks.org/
  
  
• Personal Purchase Program - Faculty and staff can take advantage of personal purchase programs offered by Penn preferred contract suppliers. Including: Car sharing, computer and office products. http://www.purchasing.upenn.edu/buytools/personal.php
  

• Six Flag Theme Park Discounts - Enjoy extra savings of up to 50% off the regular price of tickets at three local Six Flags theme parks! As a Penn faculty or staff member, you're eligible to buy discounted tickets for you and your family to Six Flags Great Adventure, Wild Safari and Hurricane Harbor. http://www.hr.upenn.edu/Programs/SixFlags.aspx

• Philadelphia Museum of Art Discounted Membership - Penn faculty and staff can purchase a discounted membership to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. As a member, you'll enjoy free admission year-round, and much more. http://www.hr.upenn.edu/Programs/PhilaMuseum.aspx

• Consumer Reports - You can search for it in the FindIt Box at the top of any library home page or directly here:
  http://hdl.library.upenn.edu/1017/1728

• Library PressDisplay - This is full text access to newspapers around the world (think pdfs of newspapers), including The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News.
  http://hdl.library.upenn.edu/1017/21994

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Quality of Worklife

• Employee Assistance Program - Staff, and their eligible family members, can receive confidential and free counseling services. http://www.hr.upenn.edu/quality/wellness/eap.asp
  
  
• Work/Life Benefit - Free phone consultation and information on all dependent care issues such as: Finding quality child care/elder care, how to keep kids safe and healthy, dealing with special needs and College planning http://www.hr.upenn.edu/quality/default.asp
  
  
• Snow Day Childcare - is available for Penn faculty and staff when Philly schools close due to inclement weather, but Penn is open. You have to pre-register for this service, you cannot show up the day of. Not free. http://www.hr.upenn.edu/QUALITY/worklife/snowday.aspx
  
  
• Health & Wellness and QOWL Workshops - Free of charge. Topics such as: Home Safety Checklist for Your live-at-home Elder, Workplace Ergonomics, The Weekend Athlete
  http://www.hr.upenn.edu/quality/workshop.asp
  
  
• Ergonomic consultation services - Where: Your workstation http://www.ehrs.upenn.edu/programs/occupat/ergo/
  
  
• Bio Pond - The gardens are open year round to anyone who wants to visit. There is no charge to enter. Behind Anatomy/Chemistry and Richards Building http://www.bio.upenn.edu/facilities/greenhouse/biopond/
  
  
• University of Pennsylvania Health System - Mention you work at Penn and you may be eligible for room upgrades, etc…
  
  
• Annual Flu Shot - For a low fee staff can get their annual flu shot on campus. Look on HR website under Health and Wellness to schedule a time. Tip: Sign up early – slots fill fast!
  http://www.hr.upenn.edu/quality/wellness/FluShots.aspx

• Penn's Backup Care Program - Take advantage of our temporary in-home backup care services—seven days a week, day or night—to help you meet your family’s needs while you work
  http://www.hr.upenn.edu/quality/WorkLife/BackupCare.aspx

• Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day - An annual event that encourages, inspires and introduces youngsters to the workplace
  http://www.hr.upenn.edu/quality/TakeOurKidstoWork.aspx

• Penn's Quit Smoking Program - Penn's Quit Smoking program offers a variety of resources to help you become—and stay—nicotine free.
  http://www.hr.upenn.edu/quality/Wellness/quitsmoking.aspx

• Weight Watchers at Penn - Losing weight may not be easy—but it just got more affordable!
  http://www.hr.upenn.edu/quality/Wellness/WeightWatchers.aspx#HowMuch
  

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Job and Career

• Individualized Career Coaching - Help with self-assessment, goal setting, resume writing, interviewing skills, etc. Contact Gale Gibbons gibbonsg@hr.upenn.edu or 898-1371 to set up an appointment.
  
  
• Staff Career Center - Resources: books, videos, as well as computers and online career tools. 3624 Market Street, Suite 1B-South http://www.hr.upenn.edu/learning/CareerCenter.aspx
  
  
• Mentors@Penn - You are matched with a Penn staff member and receive guidance and assistance on your professional life for 12 months.
  http://www.hr.upenn.edu/learning/MentorsPenn.aspx
  
  
• Computer Courses - Offered through Technology Training Services (http://www.upenn.edu/computing/isc/training/), the Biomedical Library (http://www.library.upenn.edu/biomed/) and the Library via Lynda.com (http://www.upenn.edu/computing/lynda/) (note: you can only access Lynda.com from either the main or biomed library).

• Coursera - An online education platform, to make Web-based courses available free and to improve teaching on campuses.
  https://www.coursera.org/penn
  
  
• Tuition Benefits - For self, dependent children, spouses/same-sex domestic partners.
  http://www.hr.upenn.edu/benefits/tuition/default.asp
  
  
• Retirement Counseling - One-on-one counseling session with either a Vanguard or TIAA-CREF representative 204 Anatomy-Chemistry Bldg. Schedule your session via: http://www.meetvanguard.com or http://www.tiaa-cref.org/moc
  
  
• Internal Applicant Provision - If you are looking for another job at Penn, as an internal candidate you are able to request the hiring officer's name from the HR recruiter so that you can contact the hiring officer directly. Email
  oforie@upenn.edu

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Events and Attractions

• Archaeology and Anthropology - Free Admission with Penn Card 3260 South Street (across from Franklin Field)
  http://www.museum.upenn.edu/
  
  
• Institute of Contemporary Art - Free Admission with Penn Card 118 S. 36th St. http://www.icaphila.org/
  
  
• WXPN Free at Noon - Friday lunch concerts series - Downstairs at World Café Live 3025 Walnut Street
  http://xpn.org/wxpn-concerts-events-calendar/free-at-noon
  
  
• The Morris Arboretum - Free admission with Penn card Off of Germantown Pike Weekdays:12pm - 8pm Weekends, 11am - 5pm
  http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/arboretum/
  
  
• Department of Music - Sponsors a wide range of professional and student performance activities in classical music, jazz and other musical traditions. Most performances are free. Concert Schedule:http://www.sas.upenn.edu/music/performance/schedule.html
  
  
• Arthur Ross Gallery - Showcases seldom-seen treasures from the University's collections and other public and private collections.
  http://www.upenn.edu/ARG/
  
  
• Architectural Archives of the University of Pennsylvania - Preserves the works of more than 400 designers from the 18th century to the present.
  http://www.archives.upenn.edu/
  

• Staff Appreciation Events - At the Palestra Men’s & women’s basketball, and wrestling
  
  
• Penn Relays - Free admission (except the final) Where: Franklin Field When: Annually each Apri.l http://www.ThePennRelays.com
  
  
• Penn Football - Franklin Field (gate SM) Staff Member + 4 (all free) Highlight: Penn Family Day. Note: You may NOT leave the game and come back in.
  http://www.hr.upenn.edu/quality/StaffRecognition/FamilyDay.aspx

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Recreation

• Intramural Sports - Softball, Volleyball, Golf and Soccer leagues (Summer, spring, or fall)
  http://www.upenn.edu/recreation/sports/intramural.html
  
  
• Penn Running Club - Weekly Group Runs, Training Tips, Cross Country & Track Workouts, Team Races, Clinics with Expert Guest Speakers, Social Events Discounts at The Sport Shop @ Penn
  http://www.upenn.edu/recreation/runner/club
  
  
• Levy Tennis Pavilion - What: Indoor & outdoor tennis courts Where: 3130 Walnut Street
  http://www.upenn.edu/athletics/levy/index.html
  
  
• Fitness Centers - Recreation Access to the Hutchinson Gym PennFit Program PennRec Health Challenge Instructional Classes during Demo Week http://www.upenn.edu/recreation/

• Dance Lessons - Salsa, Ballroom, Argentine Tango and Swing lessons When: Often – check websites Web:
  • UPtown Swing - swing dance - http://www.uptownswing.org/
  • Penn Latin and Ballroom Dance - http://www.dolphin.upenn.edu/ballroom/
  • UPenn Argentine Tango Club - http://www.dolphin.upenn.edu/tango/
    
    
• Tae Kwon Do Club - Several locations: check website Beginner classes are held on Wednesday.
  http://www.upenntkd.org/index2.html

• Penn Walking Club - Free pedometer, on-line tracking of progress and weekly group walks.
  http://www.hr.upenn.edu/quality/wellness/walking.asp
  

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Groups and Clubs

• University Club – Buffet lunch, meeting rooms, free continental breakfast. (Yearly membership fee; faculty and staff new to the University can sign up for FREE 1st year membership.)
  http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/universityclub/

• Pen and Pencil Club
  http://writing.upenn.edu/wh/involved/groups/pennandpencil/
  
  
• Chess Club - Houston Hall, 1st floor, East end Sundays 2pm-5pm & Wednesdays (Blitz Tournament) 8 pm
  http://www.dolphin.upenn.edu/chess/
  
  
• Conversational Spanish Lessons - The lounge of La Casa (3601 Locust Walk in the Arch Building) Tuesday and Wednesday evenings for *free* from 6-7 pm http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/lacasa/latest_news.html

• Penn Club - Discount hotel rooms in NYC (yearly membership required) http://www.pennclub.org/

• Penn Players - For over 70 years, the Pennsylvania Players have been bringing theater to the University of Pennsylvania.http://www.dolphin.upenn.edu/players/Home.html

• Penn Pro Women - Founded in 1948 Work to improve the status of women on campus and to provide assistance to women who have suffered gender discrimination.
  http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/pwc/prowomen/index.html

• Penn Women’s Center - A hub for all women's organizations on campus and a central locus for activity, advocacy and activism within the community http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/pwc/main.html
  

• African American Resource Center
  http://www.upenn.edu/aarc/
  
  
• Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center
  http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/lgbtc/

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Other Hidden Benefits

• Penn’s Pet Care Benefits - Get a 10% discount on all specialty services at Ryan Veterinary Hospital. Make an appointment through the Ryan Hospital appointment desk (215-746-8387) (Be sure to indicate your affiliation with the University)

• Walking Escort - Penn's Walking Escort service will make sure you're safe 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Make the call to 215-898-WALK anytime.
  http://www.publicsafety.upenn.edu/STS_Walking_Escort.asp

• Penn eCards:Send your Red and Blue greetings the Green way!
  http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/ecard/
  

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