University Faculty Steps Toward Same-Sex Benefits

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)—The University of Memphis Faculty Senate has advanced its support of same-sex partner benefits for university employees.

The Commercial Appeal reported faculty members voted unanimously on Tuesday to encourage a Tennessee Board of Regents review of a University of Tennessee-Knoxville Faculty Senate resolution in favor of same-sex partner benefits. The U of M faculty also passed a motion setting up a committee to draft a similar resolution, aimed at January consideration by the group.

Approval of such a resolution would be only a step. For it to become policy, university administrators and the Regents would have to also approve it.

The resolution passed by the faculty at UT was ultimately rejected by UT Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek and Larry R. Arrington, chancellor of the UT Institute of Agriculture.

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