PURDUE STUDENT SENATE

RESOLUTION 10-5
“A Resolution Supporting the Inclusion of Gender Identity and Expression,
Genetic Information, and Political Affiliation to the University’s Non-
Discrimination Policy”

Author(s): Jessica Rombach, Nick DeBoer, Brad Krites,

Eddie VanBogaert

Sponsor(s): Matt Swiontek, Samantha DeKemper, Nick

DeBoer, Jess Rombach, Seth Kester, Stephen
Babcock, Jason Jointer
Agenda Date:
Assigned to:
Recommendations:
Action:
President Pro Tempore: Seth Kester
Student Senate President: Brad Krites
Student Body President: Jamie Steiner

WHEREAS, Executive Memorandum D-1 states that, “Purdue University is committed to

maintaining an inclusive community which recognizes and values the inherent worth and
dignity of every person; fosters tolerance, sensitivity, understanding, and mutual respect
among its members; and encourages each individual to strive to reach his or her own
potential,”1 and
WHEREAS, Executive Memorandum D-1 states that, “The principal objectives of
Purdue University's equal opportunity, equal access, and affirmative action policies are to
provide fair and consistent treatment for all students and employees of the University,”
and
WHEREAS, Section 1 (“Reaffirmation of University Policy on Equal Opportunity and
Affirmative Action”), Subsection II (“Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative
Action”) of the University reads, “Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative
Action: Purdue University does not condone and will not tolerate discrimination against
any individual on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry,
marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability, or status as a disabled or
Vietnam-era veteran. Purdue University promulgates policies and programs to ensure that
all persons have equal access to its employment opportunities. All aspects of the
employment relationship, including recruitment, selection, hiring, training, professional
development, tenure, promotion, compensation, and separations, are administered in
accordance with the “Statement of Principles and Values” and this equal employment
opportunity policy. Additionally, Purdue University promotes the full realization of equal

1
http://www.purdue.edu/policies/pages/human_resources/d_1.html
employment opportunity through a comprehensive affirmative action program applying
to all units,”2 and

WHEREAS, our Non-Discrimination Policy does not, in its current form, adequately
uphold the inclusive mission of this university, and
WHEREAS, gender has come to be understood as an element of identity and expression
distinct from physical sex, and
WHEREAS, the “Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007,’’3 federally
protects genetic information as a protected employment status, and

WHEREAS, similar amendments have previously been adopted at peer and public
aspirational peer institutions of University of Michigan, Pennsylvania State University,
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Iowa, Indiana University,
Michigan State University, Ohio State University, University of Wisconsin-Madison,
University of California Berkeley, University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M
University, University of Minnesota, and
Now therefore be the following RESOLVED by the Student Senate assembled:

SECTION 1. Statutory Authority. This proposal for amendment is submitted to the

Purdue University Board of Trustees under the proposal power granted to
the Purdue Student Government under Part 5, Section III-A-3 of the
University Regulations.

SECTION 2. May the following amendment to the University Regulations be proposed

to the Purdue University Board of Trustees:

“May Part 4, Section 1 (“Reaffirmation of University Policy on Equal

Opportunity and Affirmative Action”), Subsection II (“Equal Employment
Opportunity and Affirmative Action”) of the University Regulations be
amended:

“Purdue University does not condone and will not tolerate discrimination
against any individual on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age,
national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual
orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, political
affiliation, disability, status as a disabled or status as a veteran. Purdue
University promulgates policies and programs to ensure that all persons
have equal access to its employment opportunities. All aspects of the
employment relationship, including recruitment, selection, hiring, training,
professional development, tenure, promotion, compensation, and
separations, are administered in accordance with the “Statement of
Principles and Values” and this equal employment opportunity policy.
2
http://www.purdue.edu/univregs/pages/state_equal/reaffirm.html
3
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:s358rs.txt.pdf
 Additionally, Purdue University promotes the full realization of equal
employment opportunity through a comprehensive affirmative action
program applying to all units.”

SECTION 3. These amendments shall have equal status to all other protected groups
under the current policy.

SECTION 4. Upon passage, certified copies of this resolution shall be delivered to:
Student Trustee Tyler Teykl; President France Córdova; Provost Timothy
Sands; Vice President for Human Resources Luis Lewin; Vice President
for Student Affairs Melissa Exum; Vice Provost of Diversity and Inclusion
G. Christine Taylor; Vice President for Ethics and Compliance Alysa C.
Rollock; and Dean of Students L. Tony Hawkins.

______________________ ______________________
Student Body President Student Senate President