Petition to Add "Sexual Orientation" to the University of Notre Dame's Non-Discrimination Clause
Currently, the University of Notre Dame's non-discrimination clause reads as the following: "The University of Notre Dame does not discriminate on the basis of race/ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, disability, veteran status, or age in the administration of any of its employment, educational programs, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletics, recreational, and other school administered programs." By not including sexual orientation within this statement, the University of Notre Dame reserves the right to refuse services and/or employment on the basis of one's sexual preference. Without such an addition, the GLBTQ community at Notre Dame is not provided the same right to fair and equal treatment that is afforded on the basis of other qualities, such as race. This issue is not a new one. In 1997, the Faculty and Student Senate passed resolutions suggesting such a change. That same year, College Democrats submitted a petition for this change. The outpouring of student involvement in the issue prompted the creation of the Notre Dame ethos of "The Spirit of Inclusion." Despite being a significant step forward in official policy, there still was no change to the anti-discrimination clause. More than a decade later, there is still no change. As a member of the Notre Dame family, I am in full support of the addition of “sexual orientation” to the University’s non-discrimination clause.
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