UNC System Protects LGBT Students
3/4/2010 - The University of North Carolina Board of Governors recently gave final approval to a revised student code of conduct that prohibits harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Equality NC and others advocated for this inclusive policy because threats of violence and harrassment should never be ignored or dismissed. We applaud the UNC Board of Governors for recognizing and emphasizing that a safe and civil learning environment is necessary at all UNC system campuses.
"Last year, the landmark passage of the School Violence Prevention Act provided concrete protections against bullying and harassment in our public schools," said Equality NC Executive Director Ian Palmquist. "The new UNC system policy now ensures that students in our public universities are likewise guaranteed the right to learn free of violence and harassment."
UNC President Erskine Bowles created a panel last year that ultimately recommended the code of conduct. Bowles appointed the panel after four N.C. State students spray-painted racist graffiti in the campus' Free Expression Tunnel on the night President Barack Obama was elected in November 2008. The uniform code of conduct prohibits actions defined by federal and state laws as hate crimes while supporting free speech on campus.
During panel hearings, many LGBT folks spoke up for the need to address harassment and intimidation on the campus, both within student life and within the university workplace.
The uniform code of conduct applies to all 16 campuses in the UNC system. Many of the campuses had already adopted individual, LGBT-inclusive policies, but this new policy is comprehensive to the university system. This policy also includes high school programs at the NC School of Science and Mathematics and the UNC School of the Arts.
Included in the mandatory provisions of the code are:
(b)
(i) No student shall threaten, coerce, harass or intimidate another person or identifiable group of persons, in a manner that is unlawful, while on University premises or at University-sponsored activities based upon the person's race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender-identity, creed, disability, or veteran status.
(ii) No student shall engage in unlawful harassment leading to a hostile environment. Unlawful harassment is conduct that creates a hostile environment by meeting the following criteria: it is (a) directed toward a particular person or persons; (b) based upon the person's race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender-identity, creed, disability, or veteran status; (c)unwelcome; (d) severe or pervasive; (e) objectively offensive; and (f) so unreasonably interferes with the target person's employment, academic pursuits, or participation in University-sponsored activities as to effectively deny equal access to the University's resources and opportunities.
Equality NC applauds the courageous leadership of UNC and the work of dedicated activists committed to protecting all students.
To learn more about Equality NC's past accomplishments, including passage of the School Violence Prevention Act, which provided LGBT-inclusive protection against harassment in public schools, click here.
To support Equality NC's work to ensure freedom and fairness for LGBT North Carolinians and their families, click here.
Triangle Black Pride
