Is the free-tuition-for-employees thing unusual? I had a couple of kids that graduated high school with me get into several different schools because their parents worked there (no professors. mostly janitors, cafeteria workers, etc.) I was under the impression that it was similar to the GI bill for american soliders - an employee could use it, or give it to a family member.
My father is a professor at Iowa State. Everyone assumed I received free tuition, but there were actually no benefits. I 've heard of it at several private schools though.