October 27, 2000
Dennis (sic) J. Walsh
Associate Professor
Department of Management
Miami University
Dear Professor Walsh:
I am responding to your request for an update on the status
of domestic partner benefits.As you know, there have been
ongoing conversations on this topic for several years, and
we have compiled a large amount of information on the
issue.Officially the position of the university continues
to be that we cannot adopt a domestic partner benefit
program in the absence of Ohio legislation which grants
legal status to domestic partner unions.This is the same
position held by my predecessor, Paul Risser.
Unofficially, we have continued to test the waters on this
topic with other Ohio university presidents, elected
officials, etc. The consensus of opinion among all groups
is that it would be inadvisable to raise this topic
formally. Even among persons who support the concept, there
is continuing concern about creating a backlash against gay
and lesbian rights generally.The fear is that the strong
conservative movement in Ohio opposed to expanding gay
rights would seize on any opportunity to mobilize support
to their cause.
We are particularly concerned about Ohio Senate Bill 240,
which would specifically prohibit domestic partner unions.
It is my understanding that this "defense of marriage" bill
is currently in committee. Our observers report that it is
likely to remain there in the absence of a rallying
movement to advance it. We don't know the impact of the
forthcoming election on this bill, but it seems clear that
the General Assembly is likely to become even more
conservative.
I personally support domestic partner benefits, as do the
large majority of senior administrative officers at the
university, and I would move quickly to recommend such
benefits to the trustees as soon as state law recognizes
domestic partner unions. However, in this absence of
legislation, and in the current political environment, I
believe that raising this topic would not only be futile
but would have a strong adverse impact on the university.
Sincerely,
James C. Garland
President