Domestic partner, same-sex couple housing policy almost finalized in Carbondale, IL

Domestic partner, same-sex couple housing policy almost finalized

Monique Garcia
Copyright by the Daily Egyptian
Carbondale, IL

January 18, 2006


University officials say a new policy enabling same-sex and domestic partners to live in on-campus housing is "as good as done," though the state mandated the policy to take effect Jan. 1.

The policy would make the University compliant with the Illinois Human Rights Act, which was updated at the beginning of the year to protect people from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and sexual orientation. The previous policy did not include sexual orientation.

Provost John Dunn said he was not worried about legal action being taken against the University for failing to implement the policy on time.

"One of the nice things about this campus is that people appreciate when we make strides in the right direction," Dunn said. "It's as good as done. I feel very good that this is something consistent with standing University policy."

Ed Jones, director of University Housing, said there was a slight hang up in wording the domestic partner form, which administrators would use to keep track of residents.

Officials are also looking at ways to implement changes suggested by the University's committee on gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender issues said Jones and Larry Dietz, vice chancellor of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.

One of those suggestions was adding more gender-neutral bathrooms across campus. Jones said the Housing Department has begun identifying bathrooms in residence halls that could be converted.

"Really it's just a matter of changing a few signs," said Dietz. "But we will continue to examine the taskforce's suggestions and look at ways to improve the campus environment for everyone."

Dietz said the new housing policy is waiting final approval but should be in place shortly, saying, "There's no quarrel with the policy. We're just waiting for the word to come back to us."