SU to extend tax benefits to same-sex couples - News

SU to extend tax benefits to same-sex couples - News

USen SU to extend tax benefits to same-sex couples
By: Dan Scorpio
Posted: 10/15/07The Syracuse University Senate endorsed a proposal to change the university's marriage benefits policy at its Oct. 10 meeting, a step forward for same-sex couples within the SU faculty.The Senate Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Concerns presented the proposal to USen after more than a year of reviewing the old policy.The motion passed easily through a voice vote."The Senate body was overwhelmingly in favor," said USen recorder Teresa Gilman.The proposed policy changes will extend healthcare and tax benefits to couples with same-sex marriages and domestic partnerships. Previously, these relationships did not qualify for the same benefits as opposite-sex marriages.Under the old policy, couples were required to show proof of their relationship to receive benefits. New forms of registration, such as domestic partnership and civil unions, are available now but were not before.Thomas Keck, assistant professor of political science and a member of Senate Committee on LGBT Concerns, said the current policy has been in place since 1995."The university had received some complaints about the policy," Keck said. "It seemed dated, and we felt it was prudent to review it."Keck's committee worked with the Office of Human Resources and met regularly to discuss changes to the policy."We went through careful deliberations because of the complexity of the issue," said Neil Strodel, associate vice president-chief human resources officer. "There's more work needing to be done."Now endorsed by USen, the proposed changes now await action by the chancellor prior to implementation."The university will move forward at the direction of the chancellor and will build upon the work of the LGBT Committee," Strodel said."We are supportive of these proposals and now will be looking for specific ways to implement," said Chancellor Nancy Cantor in an e-mail.SU is not the only university to make changes regarding marriage benefits. Sixty-nine other colleges and universities offer similar benefits for domestic partnerships, including the State University of New York system.The LGBT Committee also plans to gather more information about benefits policies at private corporations."We want to learn from others," Strodel said.Assistance from outside consultants is a possibility as well, Strodel said."Now it is a question of how the implementation process is carried out," assistant professor Keck said. "The chancellor and administration have to do what needs to be done to implement the proposal."Despite the fact that same-sex marriage is not legal in most states, including New York, Strodel said there is nothing interfering with the law in the new policy."We will maintain our policy within the legal parameters of New York legislation," Strodel said.Keck said these changes, if enacted, would advance SU in terms of LGBT rights compared to most universities his committee studied."This evaluation was prompted by a change in the landscape of LGBT rights," he said. "This would strengthen SU's reputation as a diverse, family-friendly benefits provider."
© Copyright 2007 The Daily Orange