In-depth
Spanier's decision to deny benefits to those in same-sex relationships caps off long process

By DARYL LANG
and DAVID SMITH
Collegian Staff Writers

Change does not happen overnight at Penn State.

To make any significant changes to a Penn State policy, the decision must push its way to the university president through a series of channels, with careful consideration every step of the way.

President Graham Spanier's recent decision to decline the University Faculty Senate's proposal to offer domestic partner benefits to university employees in same-sex relationships caps off a long decision-making process.

The process begins when a Senate committee decides to investigate an issue brought before the Senate. Once their research is complete, the committee issues a report recommending what action the Senate should take on the issue.

The Senate can then vote to accept the committee's recommendation at their meetings, which occur seven times during the academic year. What happens next depends on the kind of policy change presented.

The Faculty Senate has legislative authority in some areas, such as curriculum changes, and an advisory role in others, such as health benefits, said Len Berkowitz, University Faculty Senate Chair.

The university president usually directs the appropriate departments to implement changes where the Senate has legislative authority, although he has the power not to do so as well, Berkowitz said.

In instances when the Senate vote is advisory, the university president can implement the change, decline to implement it or work with the Senate to reach a compromise.

Some changes, such as adding a new college, are significant enough that the Penn State Board of Trustees also must approve them.

Every step of the way, the decision-makers face pressure from students, faculty, parents, alumni and legislators. Some changes, like the recent implementation of fall break, can glide through with little resistance.

In the case of domestic partner benefits, snags and opposition to the proposal finally ended it near the final step of the process.

The Senate's recent recommendation about domestic partner benefits is the first time Spanier has declined to go ahead with a Faculty Senate recommendation, said Steve MacCarthy, executive director of University Relations.

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• LGBT community vows to continue long battle