Student Government approved a resolution Wednesday to offer health benefits to University employees who are involved in a domestic partnership at the Senate meeting.
The resolution which was authored by University Center for Freshman Year Senator Brian Rees, was adopted by the senate when it voted 91 percent in favor.
This legislation came after the announcement by SG President Taylor Cox and Chief Justice Morgan Faulk to hold new SG elections Monday.
Elaine Maccio, associate professor in the school of Social Work, was an adviser for the legislation and introduced similar legislation to the Faculty Senate, where it was a “near unanimous majority” that voted in favor.
Maccio said this legislation would be a step toward fairness for same-sex couples who work for the University.
“It speaks to equality on the LSU campus,” Maccio said.
Maccio said the legislation would provide health benefits to University employees in a domestic partnership, however this legislation is specific to same-sex couples.
The resolution did have its opponents, though.
University Center for Freshman Year senator Jacob Boudreaux said he opposed this legislation on the grounds that domestic partnerships are not defined by the state and the University.
Questions were raised to Maccio by members of the senate as to whether the resolution is exclusive to same-sex couples.
Maccio addressed these concerns when she said the resolution is open to anyone in a domestic partnership, though this legislation will have a much more significant impact for people in same-sex relationships.
Maccio said this will be beneficial for University employees who are in a same-sex relationship because of the state’s current stance on gay marriage.
“Same-sex couples don’t have the opportunity to get married in our state,” Maccio said.
Maccio said because the state does not recognize same-sex marriage or domestic partnerships, the University will determine who is eligible based on how long a couple has lived together and the financial dependency of the couple.
Maccio said although the state currently has a ban on same-sex marriage, the University has the right to determine the who it will offer health benefits to.
“It is at the discretion of the University to offer benefits to its employees, regardless of the state’s stance on marriage equality,” Maccio said.
Announcements were also made regarding the recent controversy surrounding the Scantron program.
In the senate meeting, Vice President Carrie Hebert announced the College Councils will provide $5,000 to the Scantron program.
