One proposed benefit enhancement included in the Sustainable Benefits report issued last week would provide a supplement of up to $1,000 to employees who have same-sex domestic partners enrolled in the university’s medical plan. This proposed benefit was intended to recognize a tax impact that affects same-sex domestic partners but does not affect employee opposite-sex spouses who receive Syracuse University medical benefits.

As Chancellor Cantor said in her letter accompanying the Sustainable Benefits report, this enhancement creates a more inclusive definition of family. It is designed to support the university community’s value of inclusion but was not a legally driven decision.

At last night’s Sustainable Benefits forum, a legal question about it was raised by professor Pat Cihon and repeated in your news article. Therefore, we felt it important to communicate that we are continuing to take relevant legal issues into account in developing this proposal and that it would be implemented in a manner that is consistent with the law.

Sincerely,

Thomas S. Evans

Senior vice president and general counsel