In an e-mail message, Mahon said the Employee Assistance Fund was provided funds from an anonymous donor.

According to the Human Resources Web site, same-sex domestic partners can receive health care coverage under medical, dental and vision plans with an "Affidavit of Domestic Partnership."

Benjamin Holsinger, vice president of Allies, said he knew of universities that offered similar benefits.

"I think any steps toward that will be beneficial to the community," he said.

The Office of Employee Benefits, a subdivision of Human Resources, could not be reached for comment.

The Web site lists same-sex domestic partners as eligible dependents, which include spouses or unmarried dependent children up to age 19.

John Bell, donor service coordinator for Penn State Public Broadcasting, said he was very emotional and happy at the prospect of the new benefits.

"It's an amazing thing to me," he said.

Matt Welshans (senior-meteorology) said he thought offering the benefits was a good idea.

"It'll make campus more welcoming to those people who happen to be LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender]," he said.

Mahon said appealing to possible new employees was an issue, as well as providing benefits to current employees.

"Penn State always wants to be fair to all employees," he said.

Mahon said during the "Time to Choose" period, which begins today and ends Nov. 19, university employees may change their health coverage, which becomes effective in January of the next year.

Allison Subasic, director of the Student Resource Center for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies, declined to comment on the issue.