Thursday, October 17, 2002
Lansing College to offer same-sex benefits
A story released today by the Associated Press reports that the Lansing Community College in Michigan is poised to break new ground Monday by possibly offering medical benefits for partners of same-sex employees.
The Board of Trustees will vote Monday on a plan to offer benefits to same-sex partners of full-time employees. Four out of seven members, the required majority, said Wednesday they will vote in favor of the plan. The other three could not be reached.
"It sends a message to the employees that "We value you,"' Trustee Todd Heywood told the Lansing State Journal. "That's important when we're competing with the private sector to attract the best and brightest we can get."
About 1 percent of Lansing Community College's 600 full-time employees are expected to sign up. The plan will cost the college about $30,000 a year from its $92 million budget, spokeswoman Ruth Borger said.
To qualify, employees must provide documentation establishing a relationship with their partner.
Officials have yet to decide on specific criteria, Heywood said.
Trustee Mark Canady said he'll vote for the plan, but not happily. He said unions didn't request the benefits, and therefore school officials should not have offered them.
The community college will join a number of institutions nationally and locally that offer benefits to same-sex partners.
