Benefits policies disregard needs of homosexual faculty and staff
By Corey A. Morris
In the Staff Policy Manual, it states that Santa Clara does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and/or ethnic origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, handicap/disability, religion, veteran's status or age. It also states that "these factors also will not affect the manner in which the university administers personnel policies, programs and activities such as compensation, promotions, terminations, benefits, training and recreational programs."
According to the Human Resources website, the non-discrimination policy includes "sexual orientation," and stipulates that such factors will not affect administration of programs including "benefits". In spite of these words, Santa Clara denies health coverage to the loved ones of its lesbian, gay and bisexual faculty and staff. How does the university justify the blatant hypocrisy of this policy?
The HR site on benefits eligibility stipulates that dependents eligible for health benefits at Santa Clara are restricted to "your lawful spouse." Kathleen Donofrio, assistant vice president for HR, responded by saying that California will not recognize same sex marriages. "Until one can become a spouse, one cannot be covered," she said. However, I am not asking that the laws of California be changed. I am asking that the benefits policy be changed to cover partners.
The Human Rights Campaign Web site points out that 95 percent of the top 20 national universities (as ranked by U.S.News) have implemented domestic partner health benefits for same-sex couples. You might expect Santa Clara to be a leader among its academic counterparts; however, historically, our university has not been a progressive civil rights leader.
The book "Serving the Intellect, Touching the Heart" states that Santa Clara did not admit its first black student until 1949, only five years before the Supreme Court forced the desegregation of schools.
To its credit, according to "The University of Santa Clara: A History, 1851-1977," ours was the first Catholic university to admit women. Even though it has lagged behind on these issues, it has always caught up. It is now time for Santa Clara to catch up with its policies regarding sexuality.
Santa Clara's policy is inconsistent with the values for which the university claims to stand. Social justice is a virtue that must be held steadfast and apply to all actions and policies, or it is a fraud.
The students are the ones who suffer from the inconsistent application of university values when great professors leave Santa Clara to accept positions at universities that provide domestic partner benefits.
It is time the university brings its practices in alignment with its philosophy. Only then will I know that my college adheres to its non-discrimination policy, truly values diversity and is indeed a bellwether of what is just.Senior Corey Morris is a biology major, biotechnology minor. He is active in GALA and GASPED and is a member of the Tri-Beta honor society. His views do not necessarily represent those of the groups to which he belongs.