On Dec. 8, I stood before many of you to declare that in the 11 years that I have served as Belmont’s president, sexual orientation has not been considered in student admissions nor in hiring, promotion, salary or dismissal decisions.
Since that time we’ve been holding numerous internal focus groups to discuss the campus culture as it relates to sexual orientation and the university’s Christian mission. In addition, I’ve been hearing from hundreds of members of the Belmont family on this issue as well as from many Nashville friends and supporters who care deeply for this university.
Today our Board of Trustees met and affirmed officially who we are and who we will continue to be. We are a Christian community that is welcoming, loving and inclusive of everyone. To reflect the unique character of Belmont University, the Board added a preamble to our existing non-discrimination statement. The language in this preamble was inspired by our existing mission statement and our current employment handbooks. It states that Belmont is a Christian community, and the university’s faculty, administration and staff uphold Jesus as the Christ and as the measure of all things.
In addition, the Board voted today to amend the university’s written anti-discrimination policy to reflect our long-standing practice of non-discrimination as it relates to sexual orientation.
BELMONT UNIVERSITY NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
Belmont University is a Christian community. The university faculty, administration, and staff uphold Jesus as the Christ and as the measure for all things. As a community seeking to uphold Christian standards of morality, ethics and conduct, Belmont University holds high expectations of each person who chooses to join the community. In compliance with federal law, including provisions of Title IX of the Education Amendments of1972, Sections 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Belmont University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, military service, or sexual orientation in its administration of education policies, programs or activities; its admissions policies; or employment. Under federal law, the university may discriminate on the basis of religion in order to fulfill its purposes. The university has appointed the director of the Office of Human Resources to serve as coordinator of compliance with Title IX. Inquiries or complaints should be directed to the Office of the Provost or the Office of Human Resources.
