Protection for diverse expression of political philosophy, as well as gender identity and gender expression, now are included in the CU Board of Regents\u2019 anti-discrimination policy.<\/p>\n
At its Sept. 17 meeting at the University Memorial Center on the CU-Boulder campus, the board voted unanimously for the changes to the Laws of the Regents, Article 10, and Regent Policy 1.C.2.<\/p>\n
The regents had discussed intellectual diversity, or diversity of political philosophy, among faculty at the board\u2019s April meeting, then spent two hours on the topic at the June meeting, when a resolution addressing the matter was introduced. It was withdrawn when regents decided it first be reviewed by the boards Laws and Policies Committee. The idea of specifying intolerance of discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression also was raised at the meeting.<\/p>\n
Board Chair Michael Carrigan said the Laws and Policies Committee recommended that both additions be decided by the full board in a single vote, which is what happened at Tuesday\u2019s meeting. The tally was 8-0, with Regent Steve Bosley unable to attend the meeting.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m proud of the changes we\u2019ve made, which show that this university won\u2019t tolerate discrimination in any form,\u201d Carrigan said.<\/p>\n
From the resolution:<\/p>\n
| RESOLVED the Regents of the University of Colorado amend Article 10 of the Laws of the Regents to read, \u201cThe University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, GENDER IDENTITY, GENDER EXPRESSION, veteran status, POLITICAL AFFILIATION, OR POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY in admission and access to, and treatment and employment in, its educational programs and activities.\u201dRESOLVED the Regents of the University of Colorado amend Regent Policy 1.C.2 to read, \u201cThe university is committed to the principle of non-discrimination and does not tolerate harassment on any basis, including sex, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, GENDER IDENTITY, GENDER EXPRESSION, age, POLITICAL AFFILIATION, OR POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY.\u201dRegent Sue Sharkey said the adoption of the new language \u201creally does send a very good statement about the University of Colorado, and in a very positive way. \u2026 We\u2019re not going to discriminate based upon a person\u2019s political philosophy, political affiliation, gender identity or gender expression.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n The call for political diversity was first raised by Sharkey and Regent James Geddes, both Republicans. Regent Irene Griego, one of the board\u2019s four Democrats, said she agreed with Sharkey\u2019s remarks Tuesday.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of conversation has evolved because of this policy, and I\u2019m proud we\u2019ve been able to adopt it,\u201d she said. \u201cWe are saying that we respect all people from all backgrounds, from all political affiliations. \u2026 It\u2019s a very inclusive perspective that I think we want to share with people. All people need to know they\u2019re protected through this policy.\u201d<\/p>\n Geddes thanked his fellow regents, particularly Carrigan, and Board Secretary Patrick O\u2019Rourke, vice president and legal counsel, for providing expertise and advice throughout the process.<\/p>\n Said Carrigan of the board members, \u201cThis unanimous vote says a lot about who we are and how we work across party lines.\u201d<\/p>\n In a related matter, O\u2019Rourke updated the board on its request for information on a proposed systemwide climate survey aimed at determining the degree of tolerance for diverse perspectives.<\/p>\n Three responses have been collected, and they reflect a wide variation in cost and methodology. The price range is from $65,000 to $180,000.<\/p>\n Any company that the university might contract with, O\u2019Rourke said, must provide assurances that its survey would yield high-quality, useful data that could serve as a benchmark for evaluating how the university implements its diversity principles.<\/p>\n — Jay Dedrick, University Relations, CU system<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" |