Katie Neal, [email protected], 336-758-6141
Newswise — Beginning July 1, 2013, Wake Forest University will offer a tax equality benefit for same-sex domestic partners of Reynolda Campus faculty and staff.
With the U.S. Supreme Court expected to rule on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and Proposition 8 (Prop 8) in the coming days, the University's decision is both timely and important.
Wake Forest has offered same-sex domestic partner benefits to faculty and staff for more than 13 years; however, due to IRS regulations, individuals taking advantage of these benefits pay more than their heterosexual, married counterparts. With the introduction of this benefit, the University is striving to create parity for all faculty and staff by providing participants who have same-sex domestic partners with compensation to offset the additional amount they pay.
"The addition of the tax-equity benefit is a further demonstration of Wake Forest's commitment to all members of our campus community," said President Nathan Hatch. “It seems appropriate that this comes at a time when we have recognized so many examples of diversity and inclusion during our ‘Faces of Courage’ year-long celebration."
The Wake Forest LGBTQ Center, which opened in August 2011, worked in partnership with Human Resources on this initiative.
“We’re thrilled to see Wake at the forefront, championing LGBTQ equity in higher education with the addition of this benefit,” said LGBTQ Center Director Angela Mazaris. “This is a great example of Wake Forest’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in action.”
Wake Forest joins the ranks of prestigious universities such as Princeton, Yale, Syracuse, University of Pennsylvania, Barnard, and Bowdoin College in providing this benefit, according to a recent New York Times article.
Perry Patterson, a recently retired professor of economics and longtime LGBTQ advocate at Wake Forest, applauded the University's decision, stating, "Many WFU faculty and staff will be most grateful for this policy move. It demonstrates clearly the University's commitment that Pro Humanitate must fully apply to all members of the community."
About Wake Forest UniversityWake Forest University combines the best traditions of a small liberal arts college with the resources of a large research university. Founded in 1834, the school is located in Winston-Salem, N.C. The University’s graduate school of arts and sciences, divinity school, and nationally ranked schools of law, medicine and business enrich our intellectual environment. Learn more about Wake Forest University at www.wfu.edu.
RSS