Spring Break
Kent State joins the crowd
Maria Nann
Issue date: 8/13/08 Section: News
Kent State is no longer the odd one out.
The university will join eight other public universities in Ohio in offering domestic partner benefits to its faculty.
In recent negotiations between the Kent State administration and the American Association of University Professors, both bargaining teams agreed upon a tentative agreement that included domestic partner benefits.
Daniel Nadon, co-coordinator of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered studies at Kent State, said the contract was a strong step forward.
"Many of us have been struggling to obtain these benefits for several years," he said, "while others have left the university to find them."
PRIDE!Kent president Leora Rzepka was also pleased with the results of negotiations.
She said at the end of last semester, PRIDE!Kent tried to do as much as it could, but it was difficult to continue expressing the importance of domestic partner benefits throughout the summer.
"It's really exciting that it's finally happening," she said. "It's still kind of disappointing that it took so long and took so much fighting."
Nadon said he hopes Kent State will be able to attract more highly qualified faculty now that the university is offering the benefits, which he thinks will help the LGBT program.
"Among those will be new affiliate faculty for the LGBT program," he said.
Rzepka said she was excited to learn that the agreement would provide for three years, rather than the one-year extension the university had proposed in April.
"I'm not sure what's going to happen after the three years expire," she said. "Hopefully they'll renew it."
Nadon said he congratulated the administration and AAUP for reaching an agreement that included domestic partner benefits.
"I am pleased," he said. "It will put us in line with the majority of state universities in Ohio."
Rzepka said the addition of domestic partner benefits to the faculty's contract will reflect positively on the university.
"When the faculty are happy, I think the students are happy," Rzepka said. "When you think about it, it only makes sense to keep your faculty happy and keep them healthy."
Contact principal reporter Maria Nann at mnann@kent.edu.
The university will join eight other public universities in Ohio in offering domestic partner benefits to its faculty.
In recent negotiations between the Kent State administration and the American Association of University Professors, both bargaining teams agreed upon a tentative agreement that included domestic partner benefits.
Daniel Nadon, co-coordinator of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered studies at Kent State, said the contract was a strong step forward.
"Many of us have been struggling to obtain these benefits for several years," he said, "while others have left the university to find them."
PRIDE!Kent president Leora Rzepka was also pleased with the results of negotiations.
She said at the end of last semester, PRIDE!Kent tried to do as much as it could, but it was difficult to continue expressing the importance of domestic partner benefits throughout the summer.
"It's really exciting that it's finally happening," she said. "It's still kind of disappointing that it took so long and took so much fighting."
Nadon said he hopes Kent State will be able to attract more highly qualified faculty now that the university is offering the benefits, which he thinks will help the LGBT program.
"Among those will be new affiliate faculty for the LGBT program," he said.
Rzepka said she was excited to learn that the agreement would provide for three years, rather than the one-year extension the university had proposed in April.
"I'm not sure what's going to happen after the three years expire," she said. "Hopefully they'll renew it."
Nadon said he congratulated the administration and AAUP for reaching an agreement that included domestic partner benefits.
"I am pleased," he said. "It will put us in line with the majority of state universities in Ohio."
Rzepka said the addition of domestic partner benefits to the faculty's contract will reflect positively on the university.
"When the faculty are happy, I think the students are happy," Rzepka said. "When you think about it, it only makes sense to keep your faculty happy and keep them healthy."
Contact principal reporter Maria Nann at mnann@kent.edu.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 14
T King
posted 8/13/08 @ 6:05 AM EST
This is encouraging news. I hope (1) this will not be a sticking point for the upcoming contract negotiations with AFSCME, representing about 450 of the Campus Workforce, and (2) that the Stater gives those negotiations the same good coverage they've given to the Academic negotiations. (Continued…)
Robin Anderson
posted 8/13/08 @ 4:01 PM EST
Hm...I wonder if the University will "grant" such a benefit of socio-economic equity to the remaining 690-plus civil sercive employees who are not now represented by a bargaining unit? I wonder if they'll grant same to the 1150 unclassified workers? I wonder if the University will try to sandbag those good folks as far as any proposed wages offered alongside such a "generous" new benefit?
I wonder if the one thousand plus student workers(part-time) at the University will ever be offered such coverage? I mean, even UPS offers health care coverage to it's part-time employees, don't ya know. (Continued…)
Reader
posted 8/13/08 @ 8:52 PM EST
UPS is also a private company with greater resources and money.
Mr. Jesse Merino
posted 8/14/08 @ 5:25 AM EST
Domestic Partners? How do we define them?
Lets see... If a couple of gay guys, (how about a threesome), want to move in together and claim Domestic Partnership, does the College have the right to deny them all??? What about a Group of gays deciding that they want to cohabitate and get benefiets?
After all, if there isnt any 'certified language' stating how many partners are qualified to be called Domestic Partners, then you can have huge amounts taking advantage of this situation. (Continued…)
Stew
posted 8/18/08 @ 11:35 AM EST
Maybe if Ohio would take the high road out of the dark ages and define what 'domestic partnership' truly means this issue could be resolved once and for all. (Continued…)
Val
posted 8/18/08 @ 4:02 PM EST
Mr. Merino, homosexuality is not equivalent to polyamory. Educate yourself - your comments are a fine example of modern day ignorance and only serve to make you look like an unenlightened pitchfork-waver. (Continued…)
Robin Anderson
posted 8/18/08 @ 7:49 PM EST
Ooohhh! Hit a nerve, did we? Sorry about that.
In any case, Mr. Merino did not equate homosexuality with polyamory or even a Mormon with 4 wives, eh? He merely expressed an inquisitive line of thought based on his social/personal upbringing. (Continued…)
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