University of Tampa to Offer Same-sex Domestic Partner Benefits

January 30, 2009 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - The University of Tampa (UT) has agreed to offer domestic partner benefits to same-sex couples.

A news report in The Minaret, the UT student newspaper, said the universitywill make the move as of April 1, 2009. The offering does not apply to heterosexual domestic partnerships because those couples are allowed to marry under state law.

The newspaper said the new benefit plan was announced in an e-mail this week to faculty members.
According to The Minaret, the plan must:

  • Be made available to employees who are in long-term, committed relationships and cannot marry according to Florida state laws;
  • Offer equity with married employees to the extent permitted by federal laws;
  • Be financially responsible; and
  • Not jeopardize the tax-favored status of any of UT’s programs.

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