Parental Leave, Domestic Partner Benefits Now Available

"We are especially pleased that the administration has indicated its support of WSU families by providing these benefits." --Anna Bellisari, President of AAUP at WSU

Wright State joined more than 150 universities nationwide in offering domestic partner and paid parental leave benefits to employees. The university collaborated with the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) to implement a domestic partner benefit, following approval by the University Board of Trustees. Paid parental leave--paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child--was implemented based on recommendations from the AAUP and the WSU Staff Council.

"These changes put the university in the mainstream of workplace health policy and will make us more attractive in today's competitive global marketplace," said President David Hopkins.

"We are especially pleased that the administration has indicated its support of WSU families by providing these benefits," said Anna Bellisari, president of the American Association of University Professors chapter at WSU, which proposed paid parental leave and domestic partner benefits for bargaining unit faculty during contract negotiations. "We were glad that the university decided to extend this benefit to its other employees, just as it did in the case of domestic partner benefits."

Classified and unclassified staff also helped create the parental leave policy. A committee composed of members of the Classified Staff Advisory Council (CSAC) and Unclassified Staff Advisory Council (USAC) also proposed a parental leave policy.

"Being involved in this process makes us feel that we are a valued part of the university and that our voice will be heard," said CSAC member Diane Hamilton, who chaired the USAC-CASC Paid Parental Leave Committee. "Offering paid parental leave to staff is a very positive step forward and has been well received."

"I believe offering these benefits is an outstanding idea," said John Sheidler, chair of the Unclassified Staff Advisory Council. "WSU has recognized that family structure has changed over the years and we are willing to change with it."

For more information and determination of eligibility on parental leave, contact the Office of Human Resources at 775-2120.

To apply for domestic partner benefits, employees are required to provide supporting documentation proving the eligibility of their domestic partner.