Eastern Michigan University is partnering with Automotive
Components Holdings, LLC, to provide services to those
employees who take advantage of its recently announced
educational buy-out option.
EMU President Dr. John Fallon visited with hourly employees
at the ACH Saline plant March 2, as part of several opportunity
fairs for workers.
"Some will see this as an opportunity to make a transition
and we want to help facilitate that transition," said Fallon. "There
are many people who want to go back to school, but haven't
because they didn't have the time or the money. This is
a great opportunity for them."
 |
LENDING A HAND: EMU President John
Fallon
discusses the University's role in
helping displaced
Ford auto workers go
back to college to receive
an education.
Partnered with Automotive Components
Holdings, LLC, EMU will provide each
displaced
auto worker who comes to
school here with $300
for textbooks and will
waive the application and registration
fees. |
The ACH educational buyout includes free tuition — up
to $15,000 a year for up to four years — and other benefits.
ACH, an entity managed by Ford Motor Company, is offering
this buyout to hourly employees at all of its U.S. plants,
including Saline and six other plants in southeast Michigan.
To provide even more incentive, EMU will offer up to $300
for books and waive its application and registration fees.
"We wanted to provide something that all of them could
use," said Courtney McAnuff, vice president for enrollment
services. "Books are needed for every class and they can
be expensive."
McAnuff said the book offer will be for full-time students
and will be renewable annually as long as the student continues
to be full time.
Fallon likened the assistance "to a G.I. bill for auto
workers in transition."
"We see this as less an economic consideration than
a moral obligaton," Fallon said at a March 2 press
conference.
"We are obligated to be responsive to people in our
region and join hands with our corporate partners in every
way we can, and be sensitive to the people that work in
these organizations and live in our communities."
"We are delighted to get this support from Eastern Michigan
University for our innovative educational buyout program," said
Michael McCarney, vice president of the ACH Plastics/Exterior
unit. "Community support is critical as we reshape our
businesses for sale to new buyers who can move the businesses
forward."
To see a video excerpt from President Fallon's presentation,
click
here.
