Legal News

WKU Board of Regents Passes Same-Sex Partner Benefits

By ACLU

University President Calls Special Meeting Hours Before Student/Faculty Protest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: media@aclu.org

Bowling Green, KY - In a surprise move this morning, just hours before a scheduled protest organized by Western Kentucky University students and faculty, the Board of Regents Benefits Committee passed same-sex and opposite-sex unmarried partner benefits. The "Equal Benefits for Equal Work" protest, supported by WKU students, faculty, the ACLU-KY and the Fairness Campaign, was scheduled to commence at Noon today during a WKU Board of Regents luncheon with Senator Mitch McConnell.

Student organizer Greg Capillo said, "This was a direct response to what we were prepared to do today."

Following increased pressure from students, faculty and the surrounding community, University President Gary Ransdell called a special meeting of the Benefits Committee at 8 a.m. this morning where the group voted once again on the measure, and it passed. The benefits plan will become effective January 1, 2011.

Full post as published by ACLU Newsroom on April 02, 2010 (boomark / email).