A proposal by the University of Idaho Faculty Senate to provide health benefits to domestic partners has been approved by university senators, with no member of the faculty standing up in objection to it, according to the Idaho Statesman.

The plan is fairly simple: It calls for domestic partners to be treated the same as spouses.

Although the Idaho Constitution defines marriage as being heterosexual, one university department chairman say it's worth the fight to challenge, even in the courts.

Don Crowley, chairman of the university's political science department, said “If the Idaho Constitution is interpreted as prohibiting us from (providing partner benefits), then the Idaho Constitution probably is in violation of the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment."