Student Council passed a resolution Tuesday night supporting the extension of University insurance benefits to domestic partners and other family members. The resolution requests that the University Department of Human Resources extend benefits if the Code of Virginia is revised to permit it.
Passage of the resolution came after the student body passed a student-initiated referendum by a vote of 4,185 to 1,467 which called for the extension of benefits to domestic partners and other family members.
"Seventy-five percent voted in favor of the referendum and showed that this is a concern at the University," Council Vice President for Administration Will Sowers said. "This will show the administration and the [Virginia] General Assembly that this is important."
Council President Daisy Lundy supported the resolution.
"This is ensuring that we will have the highest caliber faculty and administration at the University," she said. "It is very important for the primary constituents on this issue, the students, to make a statement."
Some Council representatives, however, favored postponing the vote on the resolution indefinitely, citing the importance of waiting until a new Code of Virginia is passed, which will determine what domestic partners, relatives and other non-traditional family members will be eligible for benefits.
"I don't have anything against what people choose to do in their personal lives, but the resolution has no legal basis at this time," Engineering School Rep. Adam Steadman said. "I believe that the passage of such a resolution should be postponed until a bill [in the General Assembly] is passed. This is really just a political statement at this point."
College Rep. Nathan Vassar also supported postponing the vote.
"While I respect the majority opinion, this is an economic issue that affects students," he said. "We should wait until the General Assembly passes a resolution on this."
Lundy said the extension of benefits would not affect tuition for any students.
Commerce Rep. Jamie Sisley also said that costs would not be a factor.
"We shouldn't ever put a price tag on human rights," he said.
According to Sowers, the Council Legislative Affairs Committee will be working in Richmond on the issue, while Council members further discuss the matter with University administrators and the Board of Visitors.
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