2008 Woodie Awards
Domestic partner benefits are a necessity for Kent State
The PRIDE!Kent Executive Board
Issue date: 4/21/08 Section: Opinion
A few weeks ago, there was an announcement in the Daily Kent Stater that said partnership benefits would be brought to Kent State. There has since been plenty of talk about the issue, and many people are skeptical as to what this would entail. If Kent State were to decide to grant partnership benefits, same-sex partners would get the same benefits that heterosexual partners do, including: health benefits (medical, dental, vision), retirement benefits, partner inclusion for business events and other benefits (bereavement leave, disability and life insurance).
Unfortunately, all those benefits are currently denied to individuals with same-sex partners, as well as many more. For example, did you know that spouses receive health care benefits, free tuition for Kent State courses and free access to university facilities? However, same-sex partners are denied every last one of these benefits.
Kent State has a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, meaning a person cannot be discriminated against for being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. This policy is great in practice, but the university still discriminates against these individuals by not giving them the equal benefits they deserve, and that is a problem.
In Ohio, there are many schools that already provide their faculty with partner benefits. These schools include Ohio State, Youngstown State, Wright State and many others. It is upsetting to know that we are one of the only large universities around that does not provide these basic rights to all faculty members.
Many scenarios come into play here at Kent State when partnership benefits are denied. First, the university has lost and will continue to lose outstanding faculty members because they don't want to stay at a university that doesn't provide benefits for their partners, when they can get those rights at any other university around. Second, by going against their nondiscrimination policy, the university loses their credibility as an equal opportunity employer. Third, faculty members may not feel valued by the university because of their lack of partnership benefits, and this can directly influence their passion for teaching and for being great professors. Lastly, there have been situations where the university was denied grants and contracts from businesses because of their partnership benefit standing. These things negatively affect the university, and partner benefits would help remedy many of these issues and make Kent State a better place for students and faculty.
The American Association of University Professors has urged people to vote against having partnership benefits, even though the AAUP is an organization that prides themselves on their support of diversity. These recommendations must not hold up, and faculty must vote in favor of partnership benefits. At the close of this semester, the vote will be counted and a decision will be made. Do your part to help your friends and colleagues help their families by providing them with the same benefits you have. If you are a student, talk to your professors. If you are on the USG or GSS, propose to vote in favor of the benefits. If you are a professor, educate your colleagues and vote in favor of partnership benefits. What we do now will help many in the future. It is up to you to make sure everyone at Kent is given the same rights to equality, health and happiness.
The above guest column was written by the 2007-2008 PRIDE!Kent Executive Board. They can be contacted at pridekent@yahoo.com.
Unfortunately, all those benefits are currently denied to individuals with same-sex partners, as well as many more. For example, did you know that spouses receive health care benefits, free tuition for Kent State courses and free access to university facilities? However, same-sex partners are denied every last one of these benefits.
Kent State has a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, meaning a person cannot be discriminated against for being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. This policy is great in practice, but the university still discriminates against these individuals by not giving them the equal benefits they deserve, and that is a problem.
In Ohio, there are many schools that already provide their faculty with partner benefits. These schools include Ohio State, Youngstown State, Wright State and many others. It is upsetting to know that we are one of the only large universities around that does not provide these basic rights to all faculty members.
Many scenarios come into play here at Kent State when partnership benefits are denied. First, the university has lost and will continue to lose outstanding faculty members because they don't want to stay at a university that doesn't provide benefits for their partners, when they can get those rights at any other university around. Second, by going against their nondiscrimination policy, the university loses their credibility as an equal opportunity employer. Third, faculty members may not feel valued by the university because of their lack of partnership benefits, and this can directly influence their passion for teaching and for being great professors. Lastly, there have been situations where the university was denied grants and contracts from businesses because of their partnership benefit standing. These things negatively affect the university, and partner benefits would help remedy many of these issues and make Kent State a better place for students and faculty.
The American Association of University Professors has urged people to vote against having partnership benefits, even though the AAUP is an organization that prides themselves on their support of diversity. These recommendations must not hold up, and faculty must vote in favor of partnership benefits. At the close of this semester, the vote will be counted and a decision will be made. Do your part to help your friends and colleagues help their families by providing them with the same benefits you have. If you are a student, talk to your professors. If you are on the USG or GSS, propose to vote in favor of the benefits. If you are a professor, educate your colleagues and vote in favor of partnership benefits. What we do now will help many in the future. It is up to you to make sure everyone at Kent is given the same rights to equality, health and happiness.
The above guest column was written by the 2007-2008 PRIDE!Kent Executive Board. They can be contacted at pridekent@yahoo.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Robin Anderson
posted 4/21/08 @ 3:11 AM EST
Um...folks?
The AAUP-KSU and the vast majority of other University employees should not have to give up the strategic expiration date of the AAUP-KSU's current Agreement nor any potential imporvement in their financial lot as University employees in order to gain "domestic partner benefits"!
What a difference a change in the head administrative-policy-wonk makes, eh? Doc Cartwright said "no way" while Doc Lefton says "this way"! All under the "moral guidance" of the same Board of Trustees, eh?
Aw. (Continued…)
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