TEXT OF PRESIDENT McCORMICK'S JANUARY 23, 2006 RESPONSE TO THE SENATE ON THE SENATE RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF FAIR V. RUMSFELD:


I am writing in response to the Senate’s Resolution in Support of FAIR v. Rumsfeld, which was approved at its October 21, 2005 meeting. 
 
Equal opportunity is one of the core principles of our academic community.  Rutgers University is strongly committed to a policy of non-discrimination with regard to sexual orientation, and it is my fervent hope that the military will follow the example of Rutgers and many other institutions around the country in ensuring that all individuals, including gay and lesbian men and women and all members of the LGBT community, among others, are treated equally.  With regard to the particular legal case at hand, the University did not file a separate brief or make a formal statement in the Supreme Court litigation because we believe that it is more effective and appropriate in such circumstances to speak with a united voice through the national organizations that represent higher education (as did other public universities around the country).  In this instance, the Association of American Law Schools, of which the two Rutgers law schools are members, filed a brief in support of FAIR and emphasizing the importance of academic freedom and respect for educational values and decision-making.  Whatever the outcome of the litigation, the University will remain strongly committed to its policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all members of our community.

The members of the Senate’s Equal Opportunity Committee have my thanks for their efforts in this matter.
 
Sincerely yours,
 
Richard L. McCormick