UGA looks to offer benefits to domestic partners

ATHENS - The president of the University of Georgia says he would like to begin offering health benefits to domestic partners.

Michael Adams wrote a letter Wednesday to the chancellor of the University System of Georgia asking whether benefits could be extended to domestic partners.

Adams told the newspaper he has not yet received a response, but expects one soon. He would like to begin offering certain health benefits by June of 2013.

The UGA University Council approved the proposal in September, and supporters say benefits for domestic partners would not cost the school much money.

Janet Frick, chair of the council's human resources committee, told the newspaper the school would spend about $270,000 annually on health benefits for domestic partners.