ERFA Membership Benefits

As an SJSU ERFA member you will have access (as circumstances [e.g., COVID] allow) to our

• Membership directory: Updated annually to help you connect with colleagues
• Newsletters with timely information on resources, activities, and events
• Fall and spring luncheons:  A great opportunity to socialize and listen to speakers on topics of current interest
• Excursions: Trips organized by the ERFA Board to bay-area locations ranging from museums to cultural sites
• Holiday party for members and their spouses/partners
• Special interest groups to bring folks together around shared interests

Emeritus Status Benefits

In addition, upon retirement with emeritus status, you retain your SJSU ID.  With that ID (and password) many resources continue to be available to you beyond retirement; For example,

Free SJSU Parking.  You just need to have your license plate number properly registered. To renew, send an email to parking@sjsu.edu. Include your name, your Tower Card number (which indicates your status as Emeritus), and the license plate number of the vehicle.  Your virtual annual emeritus parking permit expires at the end of June each year.  

Free individual subscription to the Chronicle of Higher Education.  Since our library maintains an institutional subscription, you can create an account through the CHE website.

• Go to chronicle.com and click on the “Sign In” link then click on Sign Up.
• Create a free account using your sjsu.edu email address.
• Activate your account by confirming your email address when CHE sends you an email message for confirmation

Free New York Times subscription.  Emeritus faculty who maintain their SJSU email account with the .edu suffix are eligible for a free on-line subscription to the New York Times.  Information on how to set this up is available on the SJSU Library website.

IT help. The student employees at the IT “help desk” can be very helpful: https://www.sjsu.edu/it/support/service-desk/index.php.  SJSU's Information technology website provides information on downloading available software.

Software help is also available through the Center for Faculty Development. Contact Jean Shiota directly: (jean.shiota@sjsu.edu).

Library services.  Emeritus Faculty, Retired and FERP faculty with a Tower ID Card have the same library privileges as regular faculty. Loan privileges are for one year from date of check-out. Books not available at the MLK library can be requested from other libraries. Further, there is a library carrel equipped with appropriate electronics on the 4th floor of the library that is specifically to be used by emeritus faculty.  Additional library resources include:

• Liaison librarians
• Online tutorials
• Open access publishing support
• Digital scholarship services

Bookstore.  Bookstore discounts are available to Emeritus Faculty. The university provides this information: "Show your faculty/staff Tower ID card at the bookstore register and receive a 10% discount on merchandise (does not apply to sale items, electronics or text books)." The bookstore also provides information about computer equipment, and so forth, that can be purchased on-line. You will want to do some price comparisons from other sources, of course. For example, Apple's education web-site provides information on discounts for educators.

Adobe Software.  Emeritus faculty can use the Adobe Express design software provided FREE to all faculty, students, and staff at the university. It makes it easy to design posters, webpages, and videos. Adobe Express is included in the Adobe license. To get your license and for more information see the Adobe web page. 

Recreation Center.  Emeritus Faculty are eligible to join the new Spartan Recreation and Aquatic Center (SRAC) on campus. Ryan Fetzer, Director of SRAC, explains that Emeritus and Retired Faculty can purchase a membership at the student/faculty rate at the front desk. Here’s a link to the membership website: 

https://www.spartanrecreation.com/membership 

Silver Sneakers - Staying Fit. Those with PERS Select, PERS Choice and PERSCare Medicare plans are eligible for membership in “the highly popular SilverSneakers fitness program as a benefit.” Many others are eligible as well. There is an easy-to- navigate “eligibility” screen at the web-site below. It takes less than 5 minutes to determine eligibility. “Silver Sneakers” status allows seniors free access to many gyms (e.g., 24 Hour Fitness, Gold’s). Just present the Silver Sneakers card upon entry. Silver Sneakers also provides exercise classes, on line or in person. A handy email message with participating gyms and instructors is sent at regular intervals. (silversneakers.com). 

Discounts. A wide range of discounts (e.g., parks, sports, software, events) are available.  You will need your SJSU ID and password to access the information.  Check here for details: https://sjsu.edu/up/mybenefits/employee-discounts.php