by Justin Boulmay
Staff Writer

The Student Government Association passed a resolution April 6 supporting extending soft benefits married couples enjoy at Appalachian State University to domestic partners.

The resolution passed 19-4-2 and supports written policies that would extend soft benefits to domestic partners, such as access to athletic facilities, library access and time to take off work to care for a sick loved one.

“I was encouraged by it,” Director of State and National Affairs Paul A. Funderburk said. “I thought it would go into debate and it didn’t. I’m glad people realize it’s really a pretty easy issue to decide on.”

“I was surprised that there wasn’t any debate,” Appalachian Heights Senator Amanda G. Zeddy said, and added that there were more people opposed to the bill than she thought would have been.

Benefits are already extended to domestic partners on a case-by-case basis.

“This is going to cost the school basically nothing besides the paper they’re going to have to print it on to change the policies,” Funderburk said.

He also said most corporations and universities have similar policies in place. “It’s basically a mainstream thing to have.”

“Domestic partners” are defined as two individuals over the age of 18 who share a residence and are emotionally interdependent, according to the resolution. The term applies to both heterosexual and homosexual couples.

Some senators had questions regarding the bill’s relevance to students. Two weeks ago, Zeddy said the bill would assist in providing a more diverse atmosphere on campus, which in turn would improve the quality of education.

Zeddy said she would also bring up the issue next fall. “Next year, I’m going to be introducing a piece of legislation for hard benefits,” she said.

Staff Council President-Elect Tina R. Parlier said she thought it was good to learn the policies the university has now but added she did have some reservations about the bill.

“I think my only reservation is not knowing what items we can’t extend to domestic partners,” she said.

While the administration has not yet approved the resolution, other campus groups and administrators are looking into it.

Faculty Senate Vice President Andrew M. Koch is expected to address the issue in his respective organization, Funderburk said.

Parlier said Staff Council would look at the bill today.

Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Wilber H. Ward III said he has been visiting campus organizations in regard to taking a leave of absence to care for an ill loved one.

Currently, the faculty handbook allows such leave if spouses, children or family members need care.

Ward said the groups he visited have responded positively to the proposal. “I have not heard a single negative word,” he said.

Funderburk said he would schedule interviews in coming weeks with the relevant administrators to discuss the bill.