April 2, 2010 - (Bowling Green, KY) In a surprise move this morning, just hours before a scheduled protest organized by Western Kentucky University students and faculty, the Board of Regents Benefits Committee passed same-sex and opposite-sex unmarried partner benefits. The “Equal Benefits for Equal Work” protest, supported by WKU students, faculty, the ACLU-KY and the Fairness Campaign, was scheduled to commence at Noon today during a WKU Board of Regents luncheon with Senator Mitch McConnell.

Student organizer Greg Capillo said, “This was a direct response to what we were prepared to do today.”

Following increased pressure from students, faculty and the surrounding community, University President Gary Ransdell called a special meeting of the Benefits Committee at 8 a.m. this morning where the group voted once again on the measure, and it passed. The benefits plan will become effective January 1, 2011.