UHR >> SSDP >> Mary Sue Coleman letter

Benefits For Same-Sex Domestic Partners

October 14, 2004

TO: The U-M Faculty and Staff Community
FR: Mary Sue Coleman

Colleagues:

I have received a number of inquiries from members of our community concerning the potential effect of Proposal 04-02 on our ability to offer health care and other benefits to the same-sex domestic partners of U-M faculty and staff. The proposal seeks to amend our state constitution to declare that "a union of one man and one woman shall be the only agreement recognized as a marriage or similar union for any purpose." Its status will be determined by the voters of the State of Michigan on Nov. 2nd.

The University of Michigan offers benefits programs to help recruit and retain the best and brightest employees. We design such plans to help keep us competitive and provide for a healthy, respectful and welcoming community. We do not believe that a state constitutional amendment regarding the definition of marriage would be relevant to our decisions about the benefits we offer to any of our employees and their dependents. If we are challenged, we will vigorously defend our right to offer such benefits.

A booklet about same-sex domestic partner benefits at U-M is available for download at: www.umich.edu/~benefits/forms/ssdp.pdf

If you have specific questions about your or your dependents' eligibility for benefits, please visit the Benefits Office website www.umich.edu/~benefits or contact a benefits representative at the HR/Payroll Service Center by calling 5-2000 (campus phone) or 734-615-2000 (off campus).

Sincerely,

Mary Sue Coleman
President
University of Michigan

Return to top