Whereas, the community of the University of Alabama in Huntsville bears a special moral, ethical, and educational responsibility to promote diversity and inclusiveness, and,

Whereas, a diverse and inclusive learning environment which respects and enhances the potential of all members of our community is crucially important to the university’s mission of achieving excellence in teaching, research, and service, and,

Whereas, the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama system affirmed on September 19, 2003, that our university system “promotes opportunities for equal access for all qualified students and values diversity among its students, faculty, staff, and administration,” and,

Whereas, the current non-discrimination policy reads as follows, “The University of Alabama in Huntsville is committed to making employment opportunities available to qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or disability. All personnel actions and programs, including recruitment, selection, assignment, classification, promotion, demotion, transfer, layoff and recall, termination, determination of wages, conditions and benefits of employment, etc. shall be administered in accordance with this equal opportunity policy. It is the intent of the University that, in all aspects of employment, individuals shall be treated without discrimination on any of the foregoing bases and that employment decisions shall instead be premised upon a person's ability, experience and other job-related qualifications,” and,

Whereas, according to U.S. News and World Report, as of 2003, at least eighty-eight percent (88%) of the nations top national universities have implemented non-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation, and,

Whereas, according to data collected by UAB, as of February 2003, 66% of universities in the Southern University Group have implemented non-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation, and,

Whereas, the University of Alabama in Huntsville’s current policy on non-discrimination and equal opportunity is wholly unclear regarding discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Therefore, Be it resolved

That the Faculty Senate of The University of Alabama in Huntsville reaffirms its commitment to promote respect for and appreciation of diversity in all aspects of university life, and reaffirms the importance of justice for all members of our university community, and,

Be it further resolved

That discrimination based upon sexual orientation should not be tolerated, and that any systems and practices embodying such discrimination must be dismantled, and,

Be it further resolved

That the University of Alabama in Huntsville include sexual orientation in the University’s non-discrimination policy, and to take other steps toward ensuring compliance with this amended policy, and,

Be it further resolved

That the new non-discrimination policy will read as follows: “The University of Alabama in Huntsville is committed to making employment opportunities available to qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability or sexual orientation. All personnel actions and programs, including recruitment, selection, assignment, classification, promotion, demotion, transfer, layoff and recall, termination, determination of wages, conditions and benefits of employment, etc. shall be administered in accordance with this equal opportunity policy. It is the intent of the University that, in all aspects of employment, individuals shall be treated without discrimination on any of the foregoing bases and that employment decisions shall instead be premised upon a person's ability, experience and other job-related qualifications,” and,

Be it further resolved

That wherever a non-discrimination/EEO policy appears in writing, it will be replaced with the new, revised policy.