A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT OF THE NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS

WHEREAS    the University’s Non-Discrimination Policy impacts employment practices, conditions of employment, personnel actions and all other educational programs and activities of the university and its affiliates, and

WHEREAS    Article I, Section 9.2, of the University Senate Code states that “the University Senate is empowered to formulate such Rules and Regulations as it shall deem wise and proper for the control and government of such affairs of the University as directly affect the entire Lawrence campus, including the Edwards campus, and shall take such steps as it shall deem necessary for their implementation and administration,” and

WHEREAS    transgender individuals exert a presence at the University of Kansas and deserve to have their membership in this vital and thriving community protected and encouraged, and

WHEREAS    transgender individuals hold unique perspectives and life-experiences that are enriching to the entire University community, and

WHEREAS    Article 1, Section 9.2, of the University Senate Code also states: “Affairs of the University which directly affect the entire Lawrence campus include, but are not limited to, academic procedures and policies (such as the requirements for graduation and degrees, the methods of evaluating academic work, and the standards of academic conduct of faculty and students) common to the College and all Schools, class and examination schedules, the calendar, the libraries, campus-wide activities and events, the role of the University in public affairs, participation in organization and administration, the framing and execution of long-range plans, decisions regarding existing or prospective resources, and fiscal affairs.,” and

WHEREAS    approximately 1% of all people are transsexual, the narrowest designation of transgender identities, resulting in transsexual KU students, staff, and faculty  needing representation, and   

WHEREAS    not only transgender individuals are affected by discrimination, this also affects individuals whose gender identity and/or expression do not conform to society’s traditional standards of gender, and    

WHEREAS    all current and prospective students and employees deserve an equal opportunity to find growth in an environment that emphasizes respect and mutual understanding, and            
WHEREAS    on March 25, 2009, the KU Student Senate passed a Resolution proposing the amendments (in bold text below) to KU’s Non-Discrimination Policy and Equal Opportunity Policy, 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the University Senate of the University of Kansas here assembled pledges to support the rights of transgender individuals at the University by supporting the effort to change the wording of the non-discrimination policy to read:

The University of Kansas, Lawrence, is committed to the full participation of previously excluded or neglected classes of people. Thus, it is also the policy of the university to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, and gender expression. The university's nondiscrimination policy extends to employment practices, conditions of employment, personnel actions and all other educational programs and activities of the university and its affiliates. Leaders in the university community continuously examine all areas of the institution, make policy decisions, and implement strategies to eliminate and prevent discrimination wherever necessary. Reports of discrimination shall be evaluated promptly and acted upon in the manner deemed necessary by the appropriate faculty and administrators and as prescribed by the appropriate grievance procedure.

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University Senate of the University of Kansas here assembled pledges to support the rights of transgender individuals at the University by supporting the effort to change the wording of the Equal Opportunity policy to read:

The University of Kansas, Lawrence, is also proud of its goal to help all individuals realize their potential. To this end, the university is committed to providing an equal opportunity for all qualified individuals to be considered for employment, benefits and conditions of employment, educational programs and activities, regardless of race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin, ancestry, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, and gender expression. University leaders and supervisory personnel shall recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles utilizing only valid requirements related to the position functions. A university community that provides equal opportunity in hiring and all conditions of employment will make significant strides towards the elimination of discrimination. Thus, the University of Kansas applauds every effort to create a positive working and learning environment for all individuals.

____________________________________            _______________________________
John Stratton                                                               Lisa Wolf-Wendel
University Senate President                                        Faculty Senate President