In 2008, faculty members proposed a document to John Carroll University’s president, the Rev. Robert Niehoff, S.J. The proposal asked the University to include members of the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender community (LGBT) in the school’s Equal Employment Opportunity Policy (EEOP).
The current policy states that JCU “will not discriminate against any employee or applicant pursuing employment based on race, age, sex, religion, ethnic or national origin, disability or status as a veteran.”
On Feb. 2, an e-mail from Niehoff that addressed the proposal and a draft of JCU’s upcoming community standards statement was sent to all students, faculty and administrators.
In the e-mail, Niehoff responded to the proposed changes to the EEOP as something that he “could not support.” In response to his disapproval, a group of students protested on Feb. 3, at halftime during the men’s basketball game. The protest sparked discussions between students, faculty and administrators to discuss the e-mail and the documents that it revolved around.
The Carroll News commends these students for taking a stand and fighting for their beliefs. We also laud the administration and Niehoff for responding quickly and appropriately by holding talks between the students and the administration.
It is important to note that at this point in time the proposal for the amendment to the EEOP has not been presented to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors, a group of more than 40 members made up of alumni, Jesuits and others involved with the University, would have the ultimate decision in deciding whether to include the LGBT community in the language of the EEOP. According to the administration, reasons for not presenting the proposal include a fear of losing money from donors and alumni, that they are not mandated by the state of Ohio to include it, and Niehoff did not think that the Board would pass it.
Some students and faculty have answered by citing reasons why they feel it necessary to include the LGBT community in the EEOP. It would legally protect FSA from discrimination based on their sexual orientation. Additionally, it would help curb the harassment of all JCU members of the LGBT community, including students.
We feel that Niehoff should present the board with the faculty’s proposal to include LGBT in their EEOP and let the board decide for itself. Also students should be allowed to meet with members of the Board and explain why they feel the LGBT community should be included in the policy. There needs to be more dialogue and discussion between these two groups. A constructive and healthy debate would benefit both sides.
In the meantime, The Carroll News believes that the University should approve the community standards statement draft proposed by Niehoff as a step toward achieving some degree of social harmony.
The community standards statement states that “gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni are welcome members of the community as children of God they are” and cites the second edition of the Catechism of the Catholic Church that states, “Every sign of unjust discrimination in their [LGBT] regard should be avoided.” The community statement doesn’t need to be approved by the board and would immediately effect the campus community if passed. We feel that presenting the proposal to the board and passing the community statements are steps in the right direction.
