Butler University announced today that it is joining fellow universities and leading Hoosier businesses in opposition of House Joint Resolution 6 (HJR-6) and a proposed amendment to the Indiana State Constitution strictly defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

“Butler University is an institution where all people are welcome and valued, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, religion, or ethnicity; a culture of acceptance and inclusivity that is as old as the University itself,” said Butler President James M. Danko.

Butler was the first school in Indiana and third in the United States to enroll women as students on an equal basis with men, was among the first colleges in the nation to enroll African Americans, and was the second U.S. school to name a female professor to its faculty.

Danko said that HJR-6 would make it more difficult for Butler—and all Indiana employers—to compete for diverse and talented faculty, staff, and students. The proposed amendment would threaten to reverse many of the recent gains made by Indianapolis and the state, and would place Indiana’s economic future at risk.

“Continuing to attract diverse and talented students, faculty, and staff to Butler is of the utmost importance as we seek to provide an education that prepares our students to succeed in a multicultural workforce and global society,” Danko said.

Freedom Indiana, a bipartisan organization formed to oppose HJR-6, welcomed Butler’s support.

“We are grateful to Butler for standing with Freedom Indiana and our efforts to protect all Hoosiers,” said Megan Robertson, Freedom Indiana’s campaign manager. “Our Constitution is not the place to have this conversation, and we simply cannot afford to send the message that our state is not a welcoming place.”

Butler’s statement came with strong support from the University’s Board of Trustees and the Faculty Senate, which unanimously approved a resolution opposing HJR-6. Many other stakeholders, including students, staff, and alumni, have also voiced their opposition to the measure. A formal resolution opposing the measure has been proposed to the Student Government Association and will be considered at their next assembly meeting on December 4.

Media contact:

Marc Allan

mallan@butler.edu(317) 940-9822