Blunt blasts MSU policy: Gays gain anti-discrimination language.
By Admin, Section News
AP, Columbia Daily Tribune
SPRINGFIELD (AP) - Gov. Matt Blunt criticized the Missouri State University board of governors for voting yesterday to include the term sexual orientation in the school's anti-discrimination policy, saying the decision was "unnecessary and bad." Michael Nietzel, president of the state's second largest university, said the board voted 5-3 to add the phrase as part of new language that clarified rather than changed existing practice. "It is not an addition of any criteria, it is a clarification of a criteria," Nietzel said by telephone after the board met in St. Louis. The previous policy included a sentence that barred discrimination on any basis not related to educational or job requirements. The board voted to insert a parenthesis in that line that says banned grounds for discrimination could include, but are not limited to, political affiliation and sexual orientation. The amended line is separate from a list of classes protected by federal and state law, including race, color, religion and sex. Nietzel said this simply clarified what the university has practiced and was based on a recommendation from a university commission.
The board also added a passage to the policy to say that none of this affects the legal rights of religious organizations or military organizations on campus.
Blunt issued a statement saying Missouri State has long welcomed people of different backgrounds and that the increasing diversity of the campus was proof this was working. "I do not believe today's vote was necessary and am disappointed with those who pressed for it while more pressing matters command the administration and the board's full attention," Blunt said. "Today's decision bows to the forces of political correctness. It was unnecessary and bad," the governor said. Nietzel said the board had not acted under any political pressure. Instead, he said the board voted on a recommendation made by a university commission and posted on the university's Web site for the past couple of months. "That was the main impetus for making this clarification," Nietzel said. "The governor has been a great supporter of Missouri State University, and we continue to appreciate the support he gives us and all of public higher education," Nietzel said. Source
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