Employees' gay
partners get tuition break at University of Arizona

The University of Arizona has begun offering tuition breaks to the same-sex domestic partners of employees. The reductions are already available to employees, their spouses, and dependents, but UA officials say that extending them to same-sex partners will help the university better compete for faculty and staff.

The policy, announced Monday by UA president Peter Likins, won't cover health care benefits, but it's a step in the right direction, said UA employees who have been pushing for the change. "This is a victory. It's terrific. The president should be applauded for trying to do something to create equity for all employees," said Stuart Cohen, professor of public health and medicine. "This is a politically courageous move for the president to do this." (AP)