By Joe Kleinsasser

The concept was simple: Offer services, events, merchandise and opportunities to faculty and staff at a discount as a perk for being associated with WSU.

Getting the club off the ground has proven to be more complicated.

According to a recent opinion from the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission, the current state statute doesn’t allow Wichita State employees to solicit or accept gifts or special discounts.

Mike Turner, director of human resources, said, "The city of Wichita has an employees club and we know that federal postal employees have a club. Granted, there are different governing bodies for different branches of government. However, it seems to me that it is inconsistent if we are the only governmental entity not allowed to have such a club. My concern is having tools available to recruit and retain employees."

Although the club has hit a snag, Anita Kirkpatrick of the Office of Employee Relations and Training said the employee benefits club committee plans to explore alternatives to see "if we can accomplish our purposes and be in compliance with the state statute governing ethics."

The WSU employee benefits club is seen as a way to encourage campus participation in university fine arts and athletic events.

By showing a club card, employees would be eligible to receive a variety of goods and services.

A second tier of participation, with a modest $1 fee per pay period, would have given members a separate discount card to use at various local and regional businesses and activities.