Ohio University Student Senators spoke out last night in support of domestic partner benefits for university employees, in opposition to Ohio House Bill 272.
Senators unanimously adopted a resolution stating that availability of benefits for university employees' domestic partners is key in recruiting quality faculty, and that the senate should oppose House Bill 272. The bill declares same-sex marriages are against the public policy of Ohio. Therefore, same-sex partners in Ohio are unable to obtain the same benefits as legally married couples.
The bill will limit OU's diversity and will be detrimental to the educational process, said LGBT commissioner Paul Patton. I don't want to get into the ethics of whether same-sex marriage is right or wrong
he said. This will strike benefits down for domestic partners whether they're the same or opposite sex.
Women's affairs commissioner Linsey Pecikonis said the resolution does not ask OU officials to set aside money for domestic partner benefits. It's just stating that we're opposed to House Bill 272 she said.
Patton said OU is behind the times compared to the rest of the nation. Other universities in Ohio, such as Antioch University and Ohio Wesleyan University, and some Fortune 500 companies have policies supporting domestic partner benefits, he said.
Student senators adopted similar resolutions in past years requesting administrative support for the issue.
In other senate news:
- The last vacant commissioner positions were filled as sophomore Shauntina Thornton stepped into the minority affairs seat and sophomore Toby Lichtle became state and federal affairs commissioner. The senate adopted numerous resolutions appointing Michael McMasters as University College senator, Clarissa Kornell as Honors Tutorial College senator, Jennifer Renfrow as South Green senator, Jessie Truchan as an off-campus life senator, and Bryn Beers as a senator at-large.
- Chief of Staff Dustin Torres announced a senate outreach program that will take place in the dining halls next week. Senators plan to take students' trays up in exchange for feedback on campus issues. They plan to be in Boyd Dining Hall on Monday, Jefferson on Tuesday, Nelson on Wednesday and Shively on Thursday.
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Jenny Bonnar
