As a staff member of Boston University for almost 14 years, and a single parent of two children, I would like to respond to the article by Jessica Kranish implying that Boston University employees’ kids receive preferential consideration (“Employees’ kids make up 8 percent of freshman class,” Oct. 4, p. 1).

The tuition remission benefit is offered equally to all full-time faculty and staff of the University, not just the professors who make six-figure salaries. As a matter of fact, the salaries offered to staff members in many cases are lower than those offered by companies in the private sector, and this benefit helps to offset that discrepancy.

Also, employees’ children do not receive any other financial aid from BU (room and board is not included as part of the benefit and they are not eligible for work-study), thus freeing up funds to be distributed to other incoming students. I have received a letter every year from the University offering a seminar to employees and their children on preparing for college admission.

There is no mystery that they also will be required to meet the same academic standards as everyone else; to assume that a BU employee’s child does not is presumptuous. When my oldest child was accepted, I felt he had earned it with his grades and test scores, he ultimately chose a different college; my daughter is hoping to be accepted into the College of Fine Arts next year.

My co-workers’ children have attended BU and they are bright, successful adults who are happy their parents could offer them a top quality education. I would imagine that someday when today’s BU students are working and trying to support a family, they too would want to offer their children such a benefit.

Diana Parziale

Design and Print Communications Director