UVM Updates Same-sex Partner Benefits
Policy to Mirror Marriage Benefits
by Enrique Corredera

In light of Vermont's new civil union law, the university of Vermont has changed its policies to grant benefits to employees' same-sex partners more consistently with the way those benefits are granted to married employees' spouses.

The legislation gives same-sex couples a choice as to whether or not to enter into a legal agreement, which obligates them to the fiscal responsibilities of their life partner as in marriage. Because healthcare falls within this scope, UVM will soon require that employees currently claiming spousal benefits for their same-sex partners show certification that they have entered into a civil union agreement.

Same-sex couples have until December 31, 2001 to enter into a civil union agreement without the loss of benefit coverage. Thirty UVM employees, out of a total of 2,800 full-time faculty and staff, have been notified of how the change in policy will affect them. Exceptions will be granted for new employees coming to UVM from out-of-state, where civil unions are not available. These employees will be afforded a 90-day grace period in which to make a decision with respect to a civil union.

"We believe this is a very reasonable policy change," commented Thomas Gustfason, vice president of administration. "It allows us to be consistent with the way we extend benefits to our employees' partners regardless of their sexual orientation. Without this change, we would be offering an option to employees in a same-sex relationship that is not available to opposite-sex partners."

Forms certifying marriage or civil unions are available at the Human Resource Benefits Office in 237 Waterman Building. Questions can be directed to Tim O'Brien, benefits manager, at 656-3111 or Ron Frey in human resources at 656-4490.

Editor's Comments and Notes: According to the Burlington Free Press, UVM is requiring the legal registration for domestic partnerships via civil unions, because much of the UVM staff commonly complained that "domestic partnerships" benefits were only available to homosexuals at UVM, while other places (like Saint Michael's College) have benefits for long term relationship of both homosexuals and heterosexuals. This new requirement will put the homosexuals under the same legal requirements as heterosexuals. At least one UVM staff member is already raising an issue with the new policy. Beth Mintz, a professor of sociology, is "extremely upset" with the new policy. She is one of the homosexuals at UVM that fought to get "domestic partnerships" established.