Provost: KU planning for implementation of same-sex spouse benefits

For five years, Kansas University’s University Senate has been studying the issue of domestic partner benefits, urging KU to offer them, and basically getting nowhere. The new U.S. Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage — obviously — is not a mere suggestion. It’s causing real change, and swiftly.

Just three months ago I reported the University Senate was formally recommending that KU offer benefits to employees’ domestic partners, following a report from the Senate’s Domestic Partner Benefits Committee. At the time, I got the sense that senators didn’t think that would happen anytime soon but they wanted their stance on the record, nonetheless. (Note that their recommendation was for domestic partner benefits because they wanted benefits for same-sex spouses as well as non-married partners, same or opposite sex.) A snip from that story:

“KU does offer a few benefits to
domestic partners — including gym
access and bereavement leave for
various definitions of partners — but
not the most valuable benefits, which
are medical and dental insurance,
according to the report.”

Back in 2010 we reported that the initial Domestic Partner Benefits Committee was launching its first study. That resulted in more or less the same conclusions and the same University Senate support — and also the same lack of real effect. Again, from my April story:

“The university has cited state and
federal laws, as well as challenging
tax and regulatory implications to
providing domestic partner benefits,
as roadblocks, according to the
report.”

Enter the June 26 Supreme Court ruling that all states must legally recognize same-sex marriage.

Today, KU Provost Jeff Vitter addressed the issue of same-sex spouse benefits in his e-newsletter, saying:

“The U.S. Supreme Court’s historic
ruling on marriage equality affects
University of Kansas faculty and
staff, as well as our families,
friends, and neighbors. Recent news
reports highlighted that all 105
counties in Kansas will now issue
marriage licenses for same-sex
couples. Today, we received the very
good news that state agencies involved
with revising policies are reaching
out to clarify how and when benefits
will be extended to spouses and
dependents of state employees affected
by the decision. Human Resources
Management will share detailed
information with faculty and staff as
soon as it learns the date of
implementation from the Kansas
Department of Health and Environment’s
Division of Health Care Finance.”

So while paperwork may not be in order for employees to sign up today, it appears that at least for same-sex married couples the option is imminent — and no longer just a suggestion.