Purdue adds gays to anti-harassment policy

After months of pressure from students, faculty and local taxpayers, Purdue University amended its nondiscrimination policy last month to include sexual orientation.\nPurdue has had an anti-harassment policy in regards to sexual orientation, but with the change Jan. 9 it became the last Big Ten school to include sexual orientation in its non-discrimination policy.\nIn March, the Purdue Equality Alliance, which was formed that month, collected 1,300 signatures from students, faculty, staff and taxpayers who wanted the nondiscrimination policy to include sexual orientation, said Purdue senior Bryan Szyper, the group's treasurer and co-founder.\nSzyper said the group delivered the signatures to Purdue President Martin C. Jischke in September.\nDuring last semester the group invited speakers and held rallies to raise awareness about discrimination.\nSzyper said making sexual orientation an official part of the nondiscrimination policy is important for two reasons.\n"First, a non-discrimination policy sets an atmosphere of tolerance," Szyper said. "Second, Purdue wants to attract the best and brightest students and faculty, and some of the best and brightest happen to be homosexual."\nJischke said he agreed with Szyper about the importance of including sexual orientation in the non-discrimination policy.\n"Purdue consistently has prohibited discrimination toward any group, but this clarification is designed to make it absolutely clear that these categories are covered," Jischke told the Purdue News Service Jan. 9.\n"Some people have suggested erroneously that failing to include these groups in our policy statement means Purdue permits or condones discrimination against them. Such is not the case. Purdue is dedicated to fostering diversity and providing a welcoming atmosphere for all people. I hope this clarification makes that position unmistakable to everyone."\nPurdue University's nondiscrimination now resembles IU's policy in meaning and content.\nIU's policy states: "Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on arbitrary consideration of such characteristics as age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation or veteran status."\nSome people in the community believe it is important to have sexual orientation included.\nSenior Dru Clark, a CommUNITY Educator at Collins Living-Learning Center, said it is important to include a policy of non-discrimination for sexual orientation because it is important to have different ideas in the mainstream.\n"The majority benefits from different perspectives," Clark said. "The longer you discriminate against a group, the more likely their opinions will be excluded."\nIU Student Association Students Rights Director Erin Moran echoed Clark's sentiments.\n"Race, sex and sexual orientation shouldn't be considered when you consider the capability of a person," Moran said. \nNot everyone on campus ascribes to these beliefs.\nIn January, Collins Center was the target of anti-homosexual graffiti.\nSzyper said Purdue has also seen its share of homophobic graffiti and other vandalism. He said he hopes the new nondiscrimination policy will stop this type of activity.\n"Hopefully, this sends a message to the community," Szyper said, "that Purdue won't stand for discrimination and harassment"