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LBJ School passes same-sex benefits policy resolution
Resolution must get approval from UT, Texas Constitution
By Maya Srikrishnan
Students are following faculty in calling attention to the lack of domestic partner benefits at UT.
The LBJ School's Graduate Public Affairs Council passed a resolution on Feb. 12 supporting a change in UT policy that would extend health benefits to any member of an employee's household. The resolution requests that President William Powers explore the possibility of implementing a policy for domestic partner benefits that will not run afoul of the Texas Constitutional amendment that bans such benefits. Public affairs graduate student Brandon Jass, who proposed the resolution to the council, said he learned of the issue after Arabic lecturer Uri Horesh's hunger strike in January. "I thought, 'Well, I'm in the policy school and I care about this issue,'" Jass said. "I've got a really good response from it so far. I've gotten almost universal support from the students at the LBJ School." Lynne Milburn, co-chair of the Pride and Equity Faculty Staff Association, said she is delighted about the council's resolution. Milburn said the association is compiling a report to Present Powers on April 21 regarding domestic partner benefits issues such as health benefits and housing. "I want to applaud this group of students who are representing what public policy is all about. I really admire their empathy and compassion. They're working on this because they see it's important to see a more fair and just world," Milburn said. Jass said he plans on personally taking the resolution before the Senate of College Councils this semester. "Our domain is strictly academic, so I'd have to see how they're taking the issue," said Stephen Myers, chair of the Senate of College Councils. "It seems like this would also be a good issue for Student Government to address - but I can't speak for that." President of the Graduate Public Affairs Council Stephanie Chiarello said she thinks this is an issue the senate should take up because of the current policy's academic effects, which could deter graduate students and faculty from coming to UT. The Texan strives to present all information fairly, accurately and completely.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Scot
posted 2/28/08 @ 9:55 AM CST
The desire in this resolution is clear political statement.
My point is until State of Texas changes the law, this resolution remains an empty waste of words
Texas Legislature next meets in January 2009, in Austin Texas. (Continued…)
Edward Oden
posted 2/28/08 @ 2:40 PM CST
I wholeheartedly agree with the first respondent. Your voice IS your vote. If you neglect that, you don't deserve to be heard. Having said that, I regret to tell the author of the meaningless resolution that since I've not had the oppurtunity to vote on it (and against it) it carries no weight whatsoever. (Continued…)
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