Michigan State University will add benefit eligibility for same-sex domestic partners of regular faculty and applicable staff who meet the following criteria. They:
Domestic partners' children will be eligible for health and dental benefits if they:
Employees enrolling domestic partners will be asked to complete a Domestic Partnership Declaration and provide a signed "partnership agreement." They will have to keep a "partnership agreement" meeting the criteria described above in effect to be eligible for domestic partner benefits.
The following benefits will be provided to domestic partners and their dependents as for a regular employee's spouse and other dependents:
(*These benefits will be provided on the same basis as for other employees if they can be renegotiated with carriers to obtain equivalent coverage without a premium surcharge.)
The University will provide a premium contribution for domestic partner benefits comparable to that provided for a regular employee's spouse and dependents (subject to taxation as required by federal, state, and other applicable law).
MSU bargaining units will be contacted to determine their interest in negotiating domestic partner benefits for support staff.
Domestic partner benefits will be implemented as quickly as possible for faculty and applicable staff after eligibility is communicated and a special enrollment period is held.
The actions authorized by this resolution shall not alter or amend the University's Anti-Discrimination Policy nor shall they be deemed or construed to supplement or limit the protections of any individual thereunder. The Anti-Discrimination Policy shall not be interpreted to provide rights for heterosexual domestic partners.
Domestic partner benefits are subject to future plan changes that may be negotiated/agreed with employee groups.
Enacted: 9/12/97
Retired Policy No. 04-17-04