Domestic Partner Policy Memo
July 17, 1995
Deans, Directors, Department Chairs, and Administrative Officers
To an increasing extent, questions have arisen as to campus practice regarding domestic partners of campus employees and students. In response to these concerns, my staff has ascertained which campus units currently offer any kinds of services to legal spouses of campus employees (both academic and staff) and student, and what their practice is regarding domestic partners. This review has confirmed that all campus units that offer services to legal spouses of employees or students either are already, or are prepared to commence, giving domestic partners access on the same basis as legal spouses.
Please note that not all benefits are under campus jurisdiction. For example, retirement and health benefits and student housing policy are controlled at the systemwide level; these are currently under review at that level. However, for all those services which fall within the purview of individual campus discretion, domestic partners (both same- and opposite-sex) should be granted access on the same basis as legal spouses. Similarly, documentation of domestic partner status should be required only to the extent that documentation is required to establish status as a legal spouse. This is in accord with our commitment to embracing diversity and to treating all members of the campus community equally regardless of sexual orientation or marital status.
Chang-Lin
Tien
Chancellor