UW-Madison faculty members expressed anger and discussed plans to leave the university at a listening session on the recently approved gay marriage ban Wednesday.
The hearing was held to give campus community members an opportunity to voice feelings related to ban and discuss the implications for domestic partner benefits.
In attendance were Chancellor John Wiley, Provost Patrick Farrell and Interim Dean of Students Lori Berquam.
Berquam explained the main idea for the session was to listen, discuss and think about what is next for UW-Madison on this issue, not to debate.
Wiley stated the university is strongly opposed to the amendment and its effect on the UW-Madison campus. He also said every alternative way around the amendment has been looked into, but insurmountable obstacles have arisen in the search.
One main point of concern was the precise definition of ""family"" in the law that deals with the administration of health insurance benefits.
For example, St. Mary's Hospital health policy allows for a ""plus one"" to be included in the benefits without individuals having to state who that other adult is. Wiley said this was proposed by UW System administration, but was shot down by the state Legislature.
UW-Madison computer print technician Jean Hoover said she is not sure staying at UW-Madison will be an option for her and her partner of 11 years.
Hoover said she receives health insurance through UW-Madison but her partner does not, resulting in insurance payments of $317 per month, with a $2,500 deductible that is expected to rise in 2007.
""It's going to get to the point where her insurance is going to cost enough where we could possibly lose our house,"" Hoover said.
Also deemed inconceivable was the idea of UW-Madison suing the state Legislature. Attorney Chuck Hoornstra said it is against the law for state agencies to question the state, but individuals are able to sue if they feel threatened.
This brought up forming a coalition to sue collectively and/or raise money for the approximate $12 million that would be required to provide benefits for those faculty left unsupported because of the amendment. Many were in favor of finding ways to put fundraising plans in action.
A UW-Madison student who voted ""yes"" on the amendment and wished to remain anonymous was also in attendance.
""I heard a lot of you would be leaving like rats from Wisconsin because it would be such an unbearable environment,"" she said.
UW-Madison sophomore Eli Judge, chair of Students for a Fair Wisconsin, said he does not think leaving is the answer.
""I make the request that you stay here and brave the storm, send that message to future co-workers,"" Judge said. ""I will stay in this state until domestic partnership rights are here.""
Director of Inclusivity Initiative and academic planner with the UW System Lisa Beckstrand said her first goal is to bring the issue of domestic partnership benefits to the Board of Regents at their December meeting.
But Concha Gomez, faculty associate in the mathematics department, said she does not have faith in administrative plans.
""I felt that the administration had nothing to say and nothing to offer and that made me angry—I felt that the people had concrete ideas, but there is no hope for the administration,"" Gomez said. ""I am applying for jobs in states that don't have this kind of amendment in their horizon.""
