Benefits
Domestic Partners
The intent of this information is to clarify the term domestic partner and to inform Appalachian State University employees of the services available to their domestic partners and how to access them. While equitable access to education and employment for all students, faculty and staff is an institutional imperative, please note that certain benefits, such as health insurance, are controlled by the state.
Definition
“Domestic partner is defined as a person who is in a committed relationship with the employee, lives with the employee, and is the employee’s spousal equivalent.”
How to Access Services and Benefits
A spouse, domestic partner, or family member of an employee must have an Appalachian ID card – an AppCard – to access most services and benefits available. To obtain an AppCard, an employee must complete the form, “Request for Photo Identification Card,” and have it on file in the AppCard Office (262.6141), located in Trivett Hall. The spouse, domestic partner or family member (as permitted) of the employee is then eligible to acquire an AppCard entitling them to use certain university facilities, equipment, and/or materials.
For more information about domestic partner benefits, contact Human Resource Services at 262.3186 or The Office of Equity, Diversity and Compliance at 262.2144.
Exceptions
There may be units which require additional proof of marriage or partnership. One such example is Housing and Residence Life which allows domestic partners and spouses to reside with employees in university apartments.
Services and Benefits Available
Listed below are examples of services, benefits and facilities available to domestic partners and spouses of employees of the university who have an AppCard. For more information about each service, click on their website URL. Services are subject to change without notice.
Belk Library and Information Commons – Spouses and domestic partners may use the library and check out books.
Counseling for Faculty and Staff – Offers counseling, assessment, workshops and referral for employees and their immediate families, including domestic partners.
Health Promotion – Provides employees and their spouses/domestic partners with information, programs, and services that help to promote a healthier lifestyle and a better quality of life. The Health Promotion facility is available at no charge.
Housing and Residence Life – Allows spouses and domestic partners of employees to reside in university apartments with an employee. The employee must complete an Apartment Accommodations Agreement. All live-in staff within Housing and Residence Life must provide documentation of marital status or domestic partnership; additionally documentation of legal dependents is also required.
For Housing and Residence Life purposes: Domestic Partner is defined as a person who is in a committed relationship with the employee or family student housing resident, lives with the employee or family student housing resident, and is the employee’s or family student housing resident’s spousal equivalent.
Human Resource Services - Employee Benefits
University Recreation – All current employees who wish to use the Student Recreation Center, Quinn Center and/or the Mt. Mitchell Life Fitness Centre are required to pay a fee. Retired faculty and staff are not required to pay the fee, but they must have a valid ASU ID card for admission. Spouses, domestic partners and children under 19 years of age, living at home and who qualify as a dependent for federal income tax purposes qualify for access to University Recreation use with an AppCard.
04/24/08
