Dive Brief:
- The City University of New York has agreed to provide health insurance to its adjunct professors through the New York City benefits program.
- CUNY said in a written statement that it had provided health insurance to adjunct professors through a university/faculty union fund “for several decades,” but the growing number of adjuncts and the increasing costs of health care made it difficult for the fund to remain solvent.
- CUNY obtained funding for adjunct health insurance from the state, and the university and faculty union worked with the city to have the adjuncts transferred to the city fund.
Dive Insight:
A CUNY press release announcing the pact calls it “a landmark agreement.” Inside Higher Ed reports that the plan will cover about 1,800 adjunct professors — those teaching at least six credits and not covered elsewhere. The qualified adjuncts have to enroll in the city program by Sept. 19, with coverage starting Oct. 1.