Minutes 10-29-00
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October 29, 2000 Minutes

UCOP Oakland

ATTENDING
UC Berkeley
Bob Anderson
Jonathan Winters

UC Davis
John Dixon
Alexandra Kwan

UC Irvine
Kathy Eiler
Michael Houston
Pat Walsh

UC Riverside
Nancy Tubbs

UC San Diego
Sarah Archibald
Angela Barrett

John O. White
UC San Francisco
Shane Snowden

UC Santa Barbara
Maurice Hudson

UC Santa Cruz
Deborah Abbott
Jorge J. Bru
Qianya Martin
Joe Sampson
Chad Sanger

GUESTS
Kristi Bruce, UCSF
Suegee Tamar-Mattis, UCSF

ABSENT:
UC Los Angeles
UCOP
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Los Alamos National Laboratory

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2000

1. Intersex Inclusion

Kristi Bruce and Suegee Tamar-Mattis made a brief presentation to the Steering Committee (SCOM) on the topic of intersex. The topic was discussed most recently during a UCSB SCOM meeting where the video "Hermaphrodite Speak" was viewed. For information on the topic an important resource is the Intersex Society of North America. The Web Site is www.isna.org. Other resources include "As God Made Him" and "Lessons from the Intersexed."

As described to the group, for intersex individuals, at birth or at puberty, genitals, gonads, or chromosomal differences occur. An individual who is born with both X and Y traits - individuals whose hormones, chromosomes and genitalia differ can be subject to involuntary surgical intervention. The health profession has not addressed this subject in a candid or progressive manner. This type of surgery occurs at teaching hospitals like U.C.

Suggestions and Strategy:

1) Stop the surgery
2) Provide education and resources (including medical, graduate and undergraduate students)
3) Provide counseling that is accessible and affordable
4) Discuss and address issues of discrimination

It was stated that the Transgender community has been supportive of the Intersex community, however the issues are not entirely the same. Intersex is not exclusively a transgender or queer topic. People in these communities have different experiences and issues. Issues in common include matters of controlling our own bodies and preventing discrimination. According to the speakers, "I" as a part of LGBTQ alphabet soup can be a divisive issue even within the Intersex community.

2. Review Of Discussion With UCOP On October 28 Regarding MOP, Domestic Partner Benefits, Student Academic Services and GenderIdentity/Non-Discrimination

A. Mortgage Origination Program

Reforms related to domestic partner benefits were withdrawn from the Item that went before The Regents in September 2000. There is a possibility that D. P. inclusion could go forward to The Regents when pension benefits go before the Regents in January or March 2001 (estimated).

B. Pension Benefits

Improvements and automatic extension of pension benefits to a domestic partner when an annuitant dies, are currently part of a larger package of changes and enhancements associated with the Retirement System that are under consideration by UCOP. During September 2000, The Regents asked staff to conduct wider analysis on all cost items associated with the Retirement Program. They expressed hesitation to change the retirement age factors that would be more advantageous to staff because there is concern over losing seasoned employees during a period of enrollment growth. It may be the case that UCOP will submit a scaled down series of changes for pension benefits to The Regents in January or March 2001. In the future, extension of domestic partner benefits are likely to be grouped with broader "benefits equity" and part of "larger dollar" figures.

There was some discussion by the Steering Committee regarding whether pension benefits for domestic partners should be keyed to the State's domestic partner registry, financial interdependence, or both.

New Senior Vice President for Business and Finance Mullinix (UCOP) has stated publicly that he is committed to the provisionof domestic partner benefits.

ACTION

UCLGBTA should remain alert and collect case studies for individual staff and faculty who may be affected by the lack of equitable benefits. Jonathan Winters from Berkeley volunteered to become the repository for cases. This strategy was used when UCLGBTA prepared the case for domestic partner health benefits. Each campus was asked to communicate the need for personal stories and testimony.

It was mentioned that it might be worthwhile to send letters to the Governor's Office in favor of providing pension benefits to employees and their domestic partners. The Governor's opinion was very influential and important related to provision of health benefits.

ACTION

It was suggested that members of the steering committee begin to draft letters that might be sent to UCOP management. The following people agreed to conduct follow-up on DP issues with UCOP:

  • Jonathan Winters, Berkeley
  • Bob Anderson, Berkeley
  • Sarah Archibald, San Diego
  • John White, San Diego
  • Shane Snowden, San Francisco

C. New Benefits for Employees with Domestic Partners

Included in November Open Enrollment are D.P. benefits for legal plan, accidental death or dismemberment, and life insurance - additional dependent/same sex partner. It was noted that as part of first time offering for life insurance for domestic partner, a health statement would not be required. A University provided affidavit of domestic partner relationship would be required by UCOP. Those employees already using health benefits for domestic partners will receive an additional packet of information as part of open enrollment. Other employees interested will need to send in a post card to UCOP Benefits requesting the information.

ACTION

Bob Anderson volunteered to compose and announcement explaining the new benefits for the UCLGBTA Listserve.

D. Housing

It was reported the President Atkinson informed the Chancellors that their Housing Directors could set up eligibility procedures like those that exist at UCD, UCSC, and UCSF where employees can live in family housing with their domestic partners. It is generally the case, that students with children are given priority over students without children. At the same time, it was stated that official systemwide Housing policies would not change avoiding The Regents. It was mentioned that UCSF also has a financial means test. Sarah Archibald has collected most of the Housing policies within the system (existing and proposed that relate to eligibility).

E. Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Differences still exist between academic and staff employees related to this benefit. Lubbe Levin stated FMLA for staff is limited to the federal categories for family that do not include domestic partners. Differences in policy language and local implementation of leave policies for academics and staff were discussed with the SCOM on October 28. UCLGBTA raised its concern that staff with domestic partners are not able to take leave (FMLA type) and requested that Lubbe Levin consider the issue further. UCLGBTA wishes to humanize the issue and suggests further dialogue between UCOP Human Resources and the H. R. Directors at the campuses.

REQUEST/ACTION

Lubbe Levin from UCOP was asked to encourage H. R. directors to operate with the greatest amount of flexibility for staff leave related to domestic partners - since employees who are married are entitled to unpaid leave under FMLA. Lubbe Levin was also asked to consider advocating for a change to staff personnel policy language that identifies members of household, but not explicitly domestic partners in its leave and other policies. Levin was asked to include language and information regarding benefits that can be granted to employees with domestic partners on the UC Benefits Web pages other official University Human Resources web sites.

Maurice Hudson from Santa Barbara asked other SCOM members to send him local policies or implementing language that does include domestic partners so that he could pursue policy improvements at his campus.

F. Academic Student Services/Penn State Diversity Survey and LGBT Climate Survey.

Associate Vice President Galligani had told the SCOM on October 28, that UC Student Services systemwide would participate in a UC research study on diversity targeted at students. He stated that the questions are under development and that he wanted input on questions that might relate to LGBT issues. The SCOM agreed to help, but stated that it would still pursue participation of each campus in the Penn State surveys as they are seen as superior for the following reasons:

  • Includes students, staff and faculty
  • Available now and inexpensive
  • Part of nationwide sample
  • Includes LGBT and other minority group questions specific to climate and harassment.

UCLA, UCI, UCR, and UCSC do plan to participate in the Penn State surveys. UCSSF and UCD will not. UCSD, UCSB, and UCB are undecided.

ACTION

Pat Walsh from Irvine and Billy Curtis from Berkeley volunteered to summarize concerns regarding UC survey for UCOP Student Academic Services.

G. Gender Identity and non Discrimination

At the October 28 meeting with the SCOM, Lubbe Levin announced that upon conferring with General Counsel, that the University would not be including Gender Identity in its non discrimination statement. Instead, she identified three remedies for gender or gender identity discrimination:

  • Existing grievance procedures
  • Ombudsman
  • Mediation

UCLGBTA stated that these approaches are reactive not proactive and that students, staff and academics who are transgender are experiencing problems within the UC system relate to records, health insurance and facilities.

ACTION

UCLGBTA asked UCOP to form a Systemwide Task Force on Transgender and Gender Identity issues. Shane Snowden from UCSF volunteered to follow-up on this issue with UCOP and possibly with UC Human Resources Directors at one of their Systemwide meetings.

3. UCLGBTA Annual Conference and General Assembly at UCSB

Maurice Hudson provided the information that he had regarding planning for the UCSD Conference. He asked for clarification on the origin, nature, and planning of the annual conferences. It was explained that each year a UC campus volunteers to host, organize and fund an annual conference for the UCLGBTA membership. Emphasis is usually placed on student issues and workshops, but there have always been a variety of workshops and programs at the conferences. It is also the annual forum for the UCLGBTA membership to gather and discuss current projects and interests and any potential changes to the organization. It is also an opportunity for the membership to learn about leadership opportunities within the organization.

ACTION

Maurice Hudson explained that the student conference organizers would like assistance seeking financial support from UCOP for the conference. Chad Sanger volunteered to meet with Maurice and the student leaders at UCSB to review the budget request and justification. It was explained that UCLGBTA itself does not have a budget, and historically it is up to the host campus to identify fund sources for the conference.

The Conference Co-Chairs are:
Mary Watts
Uwatt00@umail.ucsb.edu
Daniel Okamura
Vanilla.spice@mindspring.com

The conference Web site is:
http://orgs.sa.ucsb.edu/uclgbta2001/

Pat Walsh from Irvine reviewed in some detail how UC Irvine organized and paid expenses for its UCLGBTA conference.

RECOMMENDATION/ACTION

It was recommended that the Santa Barbara Conference include in its schedule meeting times for the Steering Committee and student caucuses in addition to time for the General Assembly. It was recommended that a student advisory committee to the UCLGBTA be established. The UCLGBTA made a commitment to seek student input for each Steering Committee and the General Assembly.

4. Future Steering Committee Meetings

  • Santa Barbara - Feb. 16 in conjunction with the Annual Conference
  • U.C. Santa Cruz about May 1, 2001.

5. Campus Director Reports

Riverside - please see written reported handed out at meeting

Santa Cruz - announced new queer related student groups including Kids of Queers group; field trips to Santa Cruz LGBT businesses in town; alumni chapter to be developed, priority to get students to UCLGBTA conference and Queer Latino/Latina Conference at UCB; and received small community grant from Gay-Straight Alliance

San Diego - see written report

Irvine - see written report; announced development of new brochure, alumni work; course credit for volunteer work; and beginning of a strategic planning process.

San Francisco - working on implementation of DP housing; received and LGBT Community Award for community service; will work aggressively on LGBT health issues, graduate health education; looking for Federal research funding; looking to create premier LGBT heath web site on the internet; and establishment of Lesbian Health Research Center.

Santa Barbara - LGBT presence as part of convocation; Hate Crimes Response Task Force; investigating and implementing non-gender specific public restrooms; implemented Safe Zone and Ally Program, scholarships and mentor program.

6. Steering Committee Wrap-Up

A. Decision to defer United Way item to Winter Steering Committee meeting in Santa Barbara

B. A request was made to organize the Agenda in a way that explains agenda items in greater detail and how items might apply to students

C. It was suggested that the Steering Committee develop a packet of information about UCLGBTA and make it widely available

D. ACTION ITEM

Chad Sanger from Santa Cruz volunteered to survey each campus regarding composition and funding for Chancellor Advisory Committees on LGBT issues and to research pots of money used to pay for student travel to LGBT conferences

E. The Steering Committee asked previously identified Steering Committee members who agreed to work on finance issues to reconvene and make a report at the Winter Steering Committee meeting (Pat Walsh, Ronni Sanlo, Nancy Tubbs, et. al.)

F. Each campus was asked to advertise the UCLGBTA conference and to work hard to see that students know about the conference in order that they can attend in Feb. 2001

G. The Steering Committee announced a goal to try to get at least one student for each campus delegation.

H. Shane Snowden from UCSF volunteered to serve as Acting Co-Chair with Chad Sanger until elections at the Annual Conference and General Assembly. Nominations remain open until that time.

Respectfully Submitted,
John O. White
jwhite@ucsd.edu
UCLGBTA Secretary