A domestic partnership is defnied as two persons of the same gender who certify that they are involved in a relationships of mutual support, caring, and commitment; that they live together; that neither is married or a member of another domestic partnership; that they are not related by blood in a way that would bar marriage in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; that both are over the age of 18; and that they are responsible for each other's basic living expenses.
Benefits are provided to a domestic partner to the extent that such benefits are allowed by law and are within the authority of the University of Massachusetts. In order to qualify for benefits, a University employee and his/her domestic partner must complete and file a "Statement of Domestic Partnership" with the Divisin of Human Resources. A subsequent domestic partnership cannot be registered until six months after a statement of termination of the previous domestic partnership has been filed.
| Benefit | Benefit for partners | Employee Benefits |
| TUITION WAIVER For the University system. |
Dollar value of Tuition is waived The dollar value of tuition waived for a domestic partner enrolled as a graduate student is treated as taxable income to the employee |
AFSCME, MSP, SEUI, USA/MTA, Non-Unit Professional & Classified Staff |
| TUITION REMISSION For other institutions of public higher education |
N/A | ...... |
| FAMILY SICK LEAVE A paid leave if the employee has acrued time to use, otherwise taken without pay. |
May be granted when the domestic partner, parnet of child of the domestic partner, or a relative living in the immediate household is seriously ill. | AFSCME, MSP, SEUI, USA/MTA - up to 60 days maximum per calendar year (may be waived - see
contract). Non-unit professional of classified staff - no annual maximum. |
| FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE An unpaid leave of absence. Acrued leave may be used in accordance with established policy. |
Limited to the need to care for, and/or make arangements for the care of a domestic partner or relative living in the same household. | For a period not to exceed: 12 weeks during any calendary year. Effective after 6 months of employment. |
| BEREAVEMENT LEAVE | Up to a maximum of 4 consecutive working days upon the death of a domestic partner, child or parent of a domestic partner, or person living in the immediate household. Up to a maximum of 2 consecutive working days upon the death of a domestic partner's brother, sister, grandparent or grandchild. | All |
| ATHLETIC FACILITIES | Use of the athletic facilities on campus provided the mployee has paid the applicable athletic fee and the domestic partner has paid any additional fee. | All |
| ATHLETIC TICKETS | "Points" earned by a domestic partner of an employee under the terms of the Athletic Department's priority point system will be computed in the employee's point total used for determining basketball, football and ice hockey tickets. | All |
| UNIVERSITY CHILD CARE | The children of domestic partners will be eligible for enrollment in the University Child Care system. | All |
| LIBRARY FACILITIES | Use of the University Library facilities | All |