USI Same-Sex Benefits Update
By: LaTonya Stephens
Updated: May 11, 2008
Same-sex couples get no answers from USIs board of trustees.
Saturday the trustees were expected to make a decision on benefits for domestic partners.
But instead they decided to table the issue.
Trustee Ted Ziemer, Jr. presented the resolution to object to even considering the question...leading all but one trustee to agree.
USI Professor, Glen Kissel says he is happy that the discriminatory homosexual only domestic partner benefits have been set aside.
Hes objected to extending the benefits from the start.
But USI Associate Professor, Dr. Chad Tew says its not over and the university should be doing what they can to become a fair workplace.
He says he will fight to get the item on the agenda again.
But for now same-sex benefits at the university are no longer on the table.
The trustees say they will take time study this issue and consider the legal questions.
No timetable though was given in deciding the question of expanding benefits again.
