This news comes via a column at EthicsDaily.com by Dr. Colin Harris, professor of religious studies at Mercer University.
From Harris:
Recently, two Georgia universities, with roots deep in the rich heritage of Baptist higher education, have responded in rather different ways to this challenge….In rather stark contrast, Mercer University announced the adoption of a domestic partner benefit policy, which will provide access to health and other benefits to employees and partners regardless of sexual orientation.
Mercer President Bill Underwood indicated that this expansion of benefits “brings Mercer into line with other leading private universities in our region, including Emory, Duke, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Tulane, Furman, Rollins, Elon and Stetson. … It is also consistent with our established policy of not discriminating against employees based on sexual orientation.”
He added, “While I understand that some will be concerned about providing access to health and other benefits for these loved ones of our colleagues, I am persuaded that it is the right thing to do.”
Harris doesn’t indicate when exactly Mercer adopted this policy and I haven’t seen any other news coverage. However, news of this policy comes just days after Georgia Baptist-affiliated Shorter University adopted a policy requiring all employees to sign a “personal lifestyle statement” that forbids homosexual relationships. Employees who do not abide by the pledge “may be subject to termination,” according to Shorter’s president Donald Dowless.
Be sure to read Harris’ entire column. He offers a few thoughts on the ethical thinking behind both policies
Fortunately, Mercer has declared itself independent of the SBC. A great move on its part, while Shorter has fallen under the bewitching spell of the regressive SBC. Methinks Mercer will benefit, while Shorter, a formerly highly regarded institution, will fall into obscurity.
[...] Mercer University has adopted a domestic partner benefit policy that will provide access to health care and other benefits to employees and their partners [...]
Kudos to Bill Underwood for having the courage to do what is right.
Interestingly, this takes place just a few weeks following CBF/GA’s decision to prohibit its campus ministry organization in the University of Georgia community (CSF Athens) from attending a campus-wide Ally Fair. CBF/GA made this decision despite the fact that CSF Athens participated in the previous year’s Ally Fair, and despite the fact that virtually every (non-Fundamentalist) campus ministry, including Presbyterians, Disciples, Muslims, Jews, etc., participate in this event.
The decision by CBF/GA was short-sighted and just plain wrong.
I am encouraged to see Underwood do the right thing.