After the Lawrence v. Texas Supreme Court case and a national trend moving toward affording gay couples more rights in the workplace, Penn State should update its policy on gay partner benefits.

Many universities give gay couples benefits, regardless of whether their state supports gay marriage. Penn State needs to jump on this trend now.

While it does have an "Emergency Assistance Fund," this only used in a "time of crisis." Partners of faculty must fill out special applications for this fund, which is only available in extreme circumstances such as a fire or medical emergency.

Partners of gay faculty do not have the comfort of knowing they have permanent coverage, as their straight counterparts have enjoyed for years.

Penn State has continually reinforced the idea that diversity is a priority and students must take courses on diversity. It is hypocritical for the university to institute these requirements and yet not offer basic benefits afforded by other Big Ten schools.

Although Penn State doesn't discriminate against gay people in general, the lack of benefits supplied to gay partners of faculty is a blatant sign to others -- students and faculty -- that diversity is not a priority.

Penn State is sending mixed signals by requiring diversity courses, hanging posters around campus about diversity, yet denying these benefits.

Universities are supposed to be progressive, thought-provoking institutions that make all feel welcome.

Vice Provost of Educational Equity Terrell Jones said recent budgets cuts may slow attempts to give benefits to gay partners. Budget concerns are legitimate, but part of the process of tightening the belt is choosing priorities. By saying there is not enough money to fund the benefits, the university is saying the issue is not a priority. It should be.

Administrators could fear alienating members of the legislature in Harrisburg by offering these benefits. They could fear headlines such as "Conservative legislators chop away at more funding after gay couples get benefits." If this is the case, Penn State should again remember it is an institution of higher learning. As such, it should not make ethical decisions based on possible repercussions.

The university should see the way this country is changing and follow suit.

Be fair, Penn State, and show your students and employees that diversity is a priority, not just posters hanging in buildings around campus.