A proposal to offer health benefits to domestic partners without using state funds is up for consideration by the University Council at its meeting Sept. 27 at 3:30 p.m. in the Tate Theatre.
The proposal, which was developed by UGA’s GLOBES executive committee, asks for the university to fund health insurance benefits equal to coverage currently offered to employee spouses and dependents and for voluntary benefits, such as dental and supplemental life insurance, to be funded by employees. The University Council’s executive committee unanimously approved bringing the proposal to University Council, with several members stating that providing equal benefits for domestic partners would make the university more competitive in recruiting and keeping faculty and staff.
The University Council had previously asked the University System of Georgia Board of Regents to fund domestic partner benefits. The board has said it was unable to do so since, according to Georgia law, state funds can’t be used for such benefits.
