2.68

Employee Discount Program

POLICY OVERVIEW

It is the policy of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (“university”) to permit certain designated providers to offer their products and services to university employees at a discounted rate under the provisions of an Employee Discount Program (“EDP”). This policy is intended to be interpreted to comply with UT System Policy 141, "Guidelines for Employee Discount Programs."

POLICY CONTACT(S)

For questions regarding this policy, contact UT Counseling & WorkLife Services.

DEFINITION

Provider is defined as an eligible business entity that is in compliance with applicable UT System Board of Regents' Rules and Regulations, university policies, and state laws including certification requirements applicable to the provision of a particular service or product.

PROCEDURE

A.  Provider Participation Requirements

Participating service and product providers must comply with the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System, applicable university policies, and state law including any licensing or certification requirements applicable to the provisions of a particular service.

All discount offers made through the program must be an added value or actual discount on products or services.  At a minimum, the provider must offer at least a 10% discount to university faculty, staff, students, fellows and residents.

Providers may not disclaim knowledge of, or responsibility for, the authenticity or legality of the products or services offered.

Participating providers shall not use The University of Texas System or university logos or seals or otherwise imply that participation in the program equals endorsement by The University of Texas System or the university.  See UT System Policy 122, "Guidelines for Web Site Solicitations."

Discount service and product providers owned or controlled by university or by The University of Texas System officers and employees may not participate in the EDP.

The participating provider must be an ongoing concern that is already established in the community.  The focus of the provider must be one that is deemed of interest to members of the university community by UT Counseling and WorkLife Services.

The provider application and selection process does not include a formal or informal appeals process. 

Participation in the EDP program as a discount service or product provider:

• does not constitute or create a contract or an agency relationship between the provider and The University of Texas System or the university;
• is separate and distinct from the provision of any services through a vendor contract with the university or The University of Texas System; and,
• does not create any legal duty or liability on the part of The University of Texas System or the university for any actions of the provider.

B. Participation Guidelines for Employees

The EDP Web site and all information concerning the EDP will contain a link to this policy and the following disclaimers:

• University employees are encouraged to compare prices, services and products before purchasing and/or signing any purchasing agreement with the provider.
• Employees must discuss directly with the provider any questions or concerns that they have with the provider’s products or services.
• Participation by an individual or a business in the EDP does not constitute an endorsement by the university of the individual or business or the products or services offered by the participating provider.
• Inclusion of a product or service in the EDP is not a guarantee by the university of the quality or performance of a product or service.
• The university is not responsible for any disputes arising between a participating provider and an employee as the result of an agreement or transaction entered into between such a provider and the employee.
• Services and products of the EDP do not constitute compensation to employees.
• Products and services of the EDP are available on the same basis to all university employees.
• Specific products and services, as well as the EDP itself, are subject to discontinuation at any time.

C. Cancellation of Program; Discontinuance of Participation or Products and Services

• The university may discontinue the EDP at any time or discontinue a provider’s participation in the program or the provider's ability to offer a particular product or service without advance notice.
• The university may remove a provider from the program based on complaints from employees or for any other reason deemed to be in the best interest of the university and its employees.

Created 05/09