ASA Document #304
Madison February 10, 2003
Resolution on Domestic Partner Benefits Presented by
the Compensation and Economic Benefits Committee of the Academic Staff
Assembly
The following resolution, we believe, emphasizes a commitment to fairness
and equity for all university employees by the committee and we believe
the staff as a whole will give its strong support. The UW System and Madison
campus positions on full and equitable domestic partner benefits is already
known. Extending health care benefits to domestic partners is arguably
the most important issue to be resolved. Staff support on this issue will
strengthen the university's position to press for changes that we believe
are important to this university.
A RESOLUTION supporting the extension of health care insurance benefits
to domestic partners of all qualified employees of the University of Wisconsin
System.
WHEREAS More than 150 colleges and universities now offer health insurance
benefits to domestic partners, including the University of Iowa, Indiana
University, the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, the
University of Minnesota, University of Chicago, and Northwestern University;
and
WHEREAS Six states now offer domestic partner health benefits to all state
employees, as do over 100 cities and counties nationwide, including Dane
County, the City of Madison and the City of Milwaukee; and
WHEREAS Thousands of private employers now offer domestic partner health
benefits, including employers doing business in Wisconsin, such as Alliant
Energy, CUNA Mutual Insurance Group, Oscar Mayer, Ameritech, Northern
States Power, American Express, General Motors, and DaimlerChrysler; and
WHEREAS The University of Wisconsin does not currently offer equitable
health insurance options for the families of all of its employees; and
WHEREAS the University of Wisconsin-Madison has codified, in its domestic
partnership policy, its commitment to the provision of spousal benefits
to the domestic partners of all qualified employees of the university;
and
WHEREAS The University of Wisconsin's ability to recruit and retain high-quality
employees is demonstrated to be compromised by its lack of competitive
health benefits;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Academic Staff Assembly supports the extension of state health insurance
benefits to domestic partners of all qualified University of Wisconsin
System employees.