Rutgers
University
Senate
Equal Opportunity
Committee
RESOLUTION
Rutgers University
Public Statement in Support of FAIR vs. Rumsfeld
October 2005
Whereas, the Board of Governors amended the Policy on
Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action
(“non-discrimination
policy”) in 1981 to include protection on the basis of sexual
orientation and
marital status; and
Whereas, the non-discrimination policy guarantees
equal opportunities in hiring, promotion and job-related benefits for
employees
and equal treatment in University programs for all students; and
Whereas, the University Senate has passed three
resolutions in the past 10 years urging full implementation of its
non-discrimination policy; and
Whereas, it is incumbent upon the University to
provide moral leadership in the cause of human rights by exercising
every
option within its power to enforce its non-discrimination policy; and
Whereas, the equal rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender (LGBT) students are jeopardized because the Solomon
Amendment
requires the University to suspend its non-discrimination policy with
respect
to recruitment efforts of the Department of Defense; and
Whereas, the Solomon Amendment compels the University
to lend its resources, personnel, and facilities to an employer (the U.S.
military)
that continues to discriminate based on sexual orientation in its
hiring
practices.
Whereas, the law suit FAIR v. Rumsfeld provides an
opportunity for the University to make important strides in fulfilling
its
commitment to non-discrimination;
Whereas, FAIR v. Rumsfeld will be heard by the U. S.
Supreme Court on December 6, 2005;
Therefore, be it resolved that the Senate urges the
President and the Board of Governors to make a public statement on
behalf of Rutgers, The State
University of New Jersey in support of
FAIR’s effort to get the Solomon Amendment overturned.