Columns:: Domestic partner issue moves on step closer to regents’ office

since 12/15/98

Columns::September 30, 2002

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Campus News

Domestic partner issue moves one step closer to regents’ office

By Larry B. Dendy
ldendy@uga.edu

With no discussion and only a smattering of “no” votes, the University Council authorized President Michael F. Adams to forward to the University System Board of Regents a resolution requesting that “domestic partnership couples” receive University System benefits.
The resolution was developed by an organization called the Domestic Partnership Coalition of the University System of Georgia, an independent group composed of faculty and staff members at institutions in the University System. It is not part of, nor sanctioned by, the board of regents.
The resolution calls on the regents to adopt policies that treat married couples and domestic-partner couples equally in the extension of benefits such as health and life insurance, access to educational and recreation facilities, and sick and bereavement leave. The resolution also asks the regents to add “sexual orientation” to their non-discrimination policy.
The resolution came to the University Council after coalition members at UGA moved it through the council’s committee system. In presenting the issue to the council, Margaret Robinson, chair of the council’s Benefits Committee, said the coalition wants Adams to forward the resolution as a way to prompt the regents to begin discussing consideration of domestic partnerships.
The council vote was not an endorsement of the resolution by the council or the university, but only a request that Adams forward the resolution. No one spoke for or against the motion, and the vote was overwhelmingly “yes.” Adams said he will send the resolution to the regents.
Robinson also reported that the university has hired a consultant to develop a model for studying salary equity for faculty and staff. The study will begin in October, and the committee hopes to have a report by the end of the semester.
In other action, the council approved a policy affirming that UGA graduates will be competent in oral communication and basic use of computers. The policy was a recommendation of the university’s self-study and requires that these competencies be part of requirements for receiving a UGA degree.
In his report to the council, Adams announced that William Potter, university librarian and associate provost, will chair the search committee for a new provost to succeed Karen Holbrook. Potter was chair of the committee that brought Holbrook to UGA. Adams said the committee will use the same executive search firm and consultants used in the Holbrook search.

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