Does Miami University provide benefits for domestic partners?
Yes! On June 25, 2004, the Miami University Board of Trustees declared by unanimous decision to extend domestic partner benefits to same sex couples beginning July 1, 2004. Family health benefits will be given to same sex domestic partners in a long-term relationship by filing an affidavit of domestic partnership through the benefits office. At this time, unmarried heterosexual couples will not be included.
What benefits are available for employee's partner and dependent(s)?
A full summary is available at http://www.muohio.edu/benefits/.
|
Benefits available for Faculty/Staff |
For Employee |
For Spouse and/or Dependents |
For Domestic Partner and/or Dependents |
|
Bereavement Leave |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Campus Parking Permit |
One permit per year |
No |
No |
|
Career Assistance |
No |
No |
No |
|
Child Care |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Coverage by Voluntary Blood Donor Program |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Credit Union |
Yes |
Yes |
May have joint accounts with employee but not have individual accounts. |
|
Dental Benefits |
Yes |
Can purchase at reduced cost |
Can purchase at reduced cost |
|
Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Flexible Spending Accounts |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
High-Speed Internet Access for Home |
May purchase subscription at reduced cost through IT Services and Time Warner. |
No |
No |
|
Library Privileges |
Yes |
Available to all Oxford residents |
|
|
Life Insurance |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Medical Insurance |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Mobile Phone Service for Personal Use |
May purchase subscription at reduced cost through IT Services and Cincinnati Bell Wireless. |
No |
No |
|
Recreational Sports Center Usage |
May purchase membership at reduced fee |
May purchase membership at reduced fee |
May purchase membership at reduced fee |
|
Relocation Assistance to Campus |
No |
No |
No |
|
Retirement Benefits for Surviving Partners |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes and No (Yes if new employees sign up for the Alternative Retirement Plan, No if employee had signed up for retirement plan before the ARP was implemented) |
|
Tuition Remission (Waiver of Instructional Fees) |
Yes |
Yes (after employee works for three continuous years) |
Yes (after employee works for three continuous years) |
|
University E-mail Account |
Yes |
No |
No |
|
Voluntary Group Accident Insurance Plan |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Benefits available to Graduate Students |
For Employee |
For Spouse and/or dependents |
For Domestic Partner and/or dependents |
|
Health Insurance |
Yes |
Can Purchase |
Can Purchase |
|
On Campus Housing |
Yes |
May live with Husband |
May live with Partner |
What is the administration's historical position on domestic partner benefits?
In response to a query if the University would recognize Civil Unions as granted in the State of Vermont in 2000, the University Counsel wrote an E-mail message to Gary Hunter and Robert Blair. This position was strongly reiterated by the university president in a letter to David Walsh, Chair of the Faculty Welfare Committee in the Department of Management in the School of Business Administration on October 27. 2000. On June 25, 2004, the Board of Trustees supported the awarding of domestic partner benefits for Miami University faculty and staff members. President Garland's remarks on this subject to the board as well Chairman Wall's remarks were overwhelming supportative and directed that benefits be made available beginning July 1, 2004.
What are the resources available on campus for LGBT faculty, staff and students?
Faculty and staff have an informal group known as GLEAM (Gay and Lesbian Employees at Miami). The group has web space on the Miami University server and a listserve. Students rely on the student group Spectrum (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Straight Alliance). This group has office space in 35 MacMillian Hall, which is staffed by members and volunteers. One university person and usually one community person volunteer their time to serve as advisors to the group.
What is the official stance on sexual orientation in the University's Policy and Information Manual?
Pertinent excerpts from the Miami University Policy and Information Manual can be found in the following sections:
- MUPIM 1.3 University Statement Asserting Respect for Human Diversity (NOTE: This statement was adapted from the statement written and published by the University of Southern California, Student Affairs Division. Miami University is grateful to the University of Southern California for allowing us to use their statement as a model.)
- 3.6.A Harassment and Discrimination Are Prohibited
- 3.3 Equal Opportunity (Note that this statement does not include sexual orientation.)
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