Office of Equity and Inclusion

Oregon House Bill 2007, also known as the Oregon Family Fairness Act (OFFA), allows qualified same-sex couples to register their domestic partnership in Oregon and, by doing so, affords the same rights and benefits granted under Oregon law to:

• Spouses through legal marriage
• Same-sex partners through registered domestic partnership

It is the policy of Oregon State University to also provide benefits and services, within the purview of the University, to the non-registered same-sex or heterosexual "domestic partner" of an employee or student.  Such relationships may qualify for employee and student benefits and services when the following guidelines are met:

Guidelines

For the purposes of this policy, unregistered domestic partnership exists when two individuals:

1. Are each eighteen (18) years of age or older;
2. Share a close personal relationship and are responsible for each other's common welfare;
3. Are each other's sole domestic partner;
4. Are not married to anyone nor have had another domestic partner within the prior six months;
5. Are not related by blood closer than would bar marriage in the State of Oregon;
6. Have jointly shared the same regular and permanent residence for at least six (6) months immediately preceding the date of application for domestic partner status with Oregon State University, with the intent to continue doing so indefinitely;
7. Are jointly financially responsible for basic living expenses defined as the cost of food, shelter, and any other expenses of maintaining a household. Domestic partners need not contribute equally or jointly to the cost of these expenses as long as they agree that both are responsible for the cost.

If requested, proof of the existence of a domestic partnership shall consist of current documentation of at least two of the following (information should be dated to confirm eligibility at time of application):

1. Joint mortgage, lease or rental agreement.
2. Designation of the domestic partner as primary beneficiary for a life insurance or a retirement contract.
3. Designation of the domestic partner as primary beneficiary in the employee/student's will.
4. Durable power of attorney for health care or financial management.
5. Joint ownership of a motor vehicle, a joint bank account, or a joint credit account.
6. A relationship or cohabitation contract which obligates each of the parties to provide support for the other party.

BENEFITS AND SERVICES

It is the policy of Oregon State University to provide the following employee and student benefits and services to a qualifying registered or unregistered domestic partner or spouse of an employee or student.

For registered or unregistered Domestic Partners or Spouses of Students, Staff, and Faculty:

• Recreational Sports Facilities/Programs
• Borrowing materials from The Valley Library 

For registered or unregistered Domestic Partners or Spouses of Staff and Faculty only:

• Heath benefits as provided through the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and administered by the Office of Human Resources
• Staff fee privileges when enrolled in courses at an OUS school

For registered or unregistered Domestic Partners or Spouses of Students only:

• Student Health Insurance
• Student Family Housing
• Student Tickets to Athletic Events

Questions about this policy or its implementation should be addressed to the Office of Equity and Inclusion, 526 Kerr Administration Building, (541-737-3556).

(Adopted 6/14/99)