Domestic-partner benefits forum planned for March 13

Members of the UW–Madison campus community are invited to a forum designed to provide updates and information on the status of domestic-partner health insurance benefits.

The session will be held from 3:30-5 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, in the Main Lounge of the Memorial Union. Laurie Beth Clark, vice provost for faculty and staff programs and campus coordinator for the benefits issue, along with Dean of Students Lori Berquam, are expected to attend.

Governor Jim Doyle’s 2007-2009 budget proposal would authorize and fund benefits for domestic partners of all state employees, including those of UW System. The session will discuss the history of the benefits issue and the budget process, answer questions and provide updates on issues that have come up during past listening sessions.

UW–Madison remains the only institution in the Big Ten unable to offer domestic-partner benefits.

To help the campus community track the issue through the budget process, the university has developed a Web site that includes statements, documents, news clippings and other information. For more information, call (608) 262-1304 or e-mail DPbenefits@provost.wisc.edu.