2009 Minutes & Agendas

Minutes of a meeting held on October 19, 2009

1. Policy for care taking for partners (use of sick leave)
1. We agreed there is a need to update the Family Medical Leave and Sick Leave policies. Both policies should include Domestic Partners
2. We are not protected by the Governor's Executive Order
3. These policies are governed by the Board of Regents (BoR) and need to be sent to the BOR for approval.
4. There are several ways to get policy changes in front of the BoR: UMD President, CUSS (Sister Maureen), and through the student regent

1. Action:  Approached the President’s Office was delegated off to meet with Sally Koblinsky (former PCLGBTI member).  She asked to have things carefully researched and written before we could talk to the President.  No further progress

1. System policies including tuition remission and family leave need to be brought into line.
1. See number 1

1. Action:  Approached the President’s Office was delegated off to meet with Sally Koblinsky (former PCLGBTI member).  She asked to have things carefully researched and written before we could talk to the President.  No further progress

1. Use of preferred name on class rosters, ID cards, and other places where a legal name is not required.
1. Asking for a change in policy and data collection which would allow a student to designate a "preferred name" when registering. The preferred name would be used on everything except legal documents.

1. Action:  Luke Jensen and I met with Chuck Wilson and Jackie Vander Velden.  They were incredibly helpful and agreed in principal.  They are investigating the technological possibilities.  We are researching the legal aspect with Susan Bayley.

1. Revisit adding gender identity and gender expression to our official non-discrimination policy.
1. All five of our peer institutions have gender identity listed in their policies.
2. Board of Regents dictate that we cannot add protected classes to our policies

1. Action:  None

1. Health insurance for trans students
1. Can we find health insurance policies for students that are trans-specific?

1. Action:  Talk with Sacared Bodison

1. Appropriate accommodations in resident halls for trans students
1. This is possible on South Campus but needs to be a more normal process.
2. Would Resident Life consider having a LBGT liaison

Action:  Tosh to discuss with Residence Life staff.