CALIFORNIA NEWS : Stanford to Provide Benefits for Partners of Gays

Domestic partners of gay faculty and employees at Stanford University soon will be eligible for the same benefits as spouses of heterosexuals under a policy adopted by the school’s Board of Trustees on Tuesday.

Starting Feb. 1, same-sex partners can receive health insurance coverage, survivors’ benefits, library privileges and the right to audit university courses.

Though not the first university or institution to institute such a policy, Stanford is thought to be among the pioneers, officials said. The University of Iowa, the Levi Strauss Co. and Bay Area Rapid Transit previously adopted similar rules for gays; other campuses and firms are studying the matter.

Between 40 and 60 Stanford employees are expected to apply for benefits for their homosexual partners, said Barbara Butterfield, vice president for faculty and staff services.

“Stanford feels it should not treat differently its gay and lesbian employees who cannot obtain a legal sanction of their enduring partnership, though their commitment to the partnership is analogous to that involved in contemporary marriage relationships,” she said.

Eligible domestic partners are definded as “two individuals in an enduring relationship with exclusive mutual commitment and financial responsibilities analogous to those of marriage.” The policy does not apply to unmarried heterosexuals, however. Officials contended that those couples at least have the opportunity to get married and receive benefits.

Officials say they do not intend to investigate private lives and will take the word of applicants.

Stanford raised the ire of some conservative alumni in recent years by allowing gay couples to live together in housing facilities for married students.