Friday, June 28, 2002
University of Colorado regents approve domestic partner benefits
A story released today by the RockyMountainNews.com reports that the University of Colorado Board of Regents voted Thursday to give same-sex domestic health partner benefits to it’s employees.
With the 5-4 vote, CU becomes the only public institution of higher learning in Colorado to provide such benefits.
"It's really about individuals and doing what's right for our employees," board Chairwoman Maureen Ediger said. "It's not about the politically correct merits of this issue."
Ediger derailed the same issue in September when she declined to vote, even though it's the chairperson's job to break a tie. At the time, she said she lacked adequate information.
The abrupt introduction of a controversial proposal -- in the works for more than a decade and shot down twice by regents -- angered some board members.
Republican Regent Norwood Robb, who voted against the measure, said it was the most "unprofessional" behavior he's seen on the board in 18 years.
"It's inappropriate for a university to be promoting a politically correct agenda," Robb said. "I don't think the university should be out taking a position on abortion, or taking a position on gun control, or social issues."
Regent Bob Sievers said only about 10 people are expected to take advantage of the new policy, based upon data from other universities around the country.
"Cost is not the fundamental issue," Sievers said. "It's a question of fairness and equity. Unless all of us are treated equally, none of us is treated equally."
Sievers noted that high-profile corporations, such as Coors Brewing Company, offer domestic partner benefits for same-sex partners. CU students already are eligible for domestic partner benefits. Heterosexual common law spouses also are eligible to receive benefits. And several of CU's peer institutions offer health benefits to same-sex partners.
CU's plan requires the employee to prove he or she has lived with the partner for one year. The individual also has to be registered on the domestic partner registry in either Boulder or Denver, the only Colorado cities that have such registries. Participants don't have to live in those cities to be listed.
"We did not have a vote today on the gay/lesbian lifestyle," said Regent Jim Martin, one of two Republicans to vote in favor of the resolution. "This was a very simple issue for me and that is healthcare."
