Purdue will enforce its anti discrimination policy

First reported at JConline.com

While Purdue University President Mitch Daniels isn't taking sides on Indiana's controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act, several university groups said they plan to take a stance on the issue soon.

Daniels chose not to comment last week, but the Office of the President released a statement Monday afternoon ensuring Purdue will continue to make "all members of the University community feel welcome and supported" by enforcing its nondiscrimination policy.

"While a longstanding Board of Trustees policy precludes Purdue taking institutional positions on matters such as the current controversy, we wish to take this opportunity to affirm our unwavering commitment to our principles and our opposition to any governmental measure that would interfere with their practice on our campuses," according to the statement.

Julie Griffith, Purdue's vice president of public affairs, offered this comment Thursday:

"There is no way of knowing how this legislation could affect Purdue University," she said in an email. "Nineteen other states have enacted RFRA laws and another 11 have similar protections provided by state court decisions. Many of our fellow AAU and Big Ten institutions are located in those states and perhaps would be in a better position to advise on any impact."

Presidents at Ball State, Butler, DePauw and Indiana universities have issued statements in opposition of the new law, which was signed by Gov. Mike Pence last week and followed by a national public outcry, in which critics said it set the foundation to legalize discrimination in Indiana.

As Pence noted during an interview Sunday on ABC's "This Week," Illinois instituted a similar law in 1998. Bob Easter, president of the University of Illinois — a peer institution to Purdue — was not immediately available for comment Monday on how Illinois' law impacted the university.

Brian Zink, a Purdue spokesperson, said it's not unusual for university administration to remain neutral on such issues. He pointed instead to the university's nondiscrimination policy, which prohibits discrimination against anyone on the basis of "race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran."

Purdue Student Government and the Faculty Senate, however, may become more vocal. Student government representatives will discuss during their Wednesday meeting a resolution in opposition to the religious freedom bill, according to the group's Twitter account.

To gather feedback from the student body, student government launched an online survey on the resolution last week.

Patricia Hart, president of the University Senate, said she is also in the process of polling senate leaders on whether to take a public stance.

"I don't like to speak without the senate or a large group of faculty behind me," she said.

Leeza Kolesnikov, president of Purdue College Democrats, said the group is against the new law. The negative press aimed at Indiana could cause potential out-of-state students to rethink attending Purdue, even though they are protected from discrimination on campus under university policy, she said.

She said if PSG passes the resolution, it would be a step in the right direction to ensure that discrimination won't take place.

"The resolution is making a statement on campus to unite students," she said.

Giovanni Malloy, president of Purdue GOP, wasn't available for comment Monday.

Take the Survey

Purdue Student Government has a launched an online survey to gather student feedback on a resolution in opposition to Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

If You Go

What: Championing Equality — hosted by LGBTQ Athletes & Allies

When: 6 p.m. Monday, March 30

Where: Fowler Hall, Stewart Center, 128 Memorial Mall