Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 13, 1991 TAG: 9102130445
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: From Associated Press and staff reports
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
Casteen took the action in response to protests of the school's decision to deny campus access to potential employers who discriminate against gays and lesbians.
"I understand that members of the law faculty and others in the university feel strongly about these issues, and I respect their positions," Casteen said in a statement. "At the same time, all of us recognize that it is the nature of the university to include, not to exclude; to foster debate, not to stifle it; and to pursue rational and reasonable solutions."
Larry Sabato, a UVa government professor, had helped draft and circulate a petition that he said contained more than 300 signatures from students and employees who were against the ban.
"This is a First Amendment issue," Sabato said. "We want the university to treat all potential employers equally. The ban announced by the law school is, itself, discriminatory and arguably illegal and unconstitutional."
Casteen had expanded the university's anti-discrimination policy Jan. 29 to protect gays and lesbians.
At the Washington and Lee Law School, faculty members on Monday voted to change the wording of their non-discrimination policy.
"We've always had a policy about discrimination in the placement process," said associate dean Edward Henneman. "We voted to amend that policy to include sexual orientation."
The policy goes on to say that the W&L law school will offer facilities and services only to employers whose practices are consistent with the university's own.
by CNB