University of Memphis faculty votes to approve same-sex benefits

The University of Memphis faculty senate voted Tuesday to approve benefits for same-sex partners of school employees. The Daily Helmsman reports 33 members of the senate voted to support benefit offerings for same-sex partners following a similar proposal that passed last spring at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. UT Chancellor Jimmy Cheek later rejected his school's proposal on the basis of state policy. The U of M's resolution is similar in nature, in that it shows the faculty supports the change but it is in no way a binding vote. School administration and the Tennessee Board of Regents would still have to approve the measure before it was official.