Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, December 20, 1993 TAG: 9312200066
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: FAIRFAX LENGTH: Medium
The leaflet distributed on campus this month classifies what constitutes harassment or discrimination against homosexuals. The pamphlet reminds students that discrimination against homosexuals is not permitted on campus.
A prominent economics professor at George Mason, Walter Williams, poked fun at the leaflet in a recent nationally syndicated column. He mused that he needed to call university president George Johnson for a ruling on exactly how many inches he should stand from a homosexual.
"While I have the president's ear I shall seek counsel on how long you can look at homosexuals holding hands, or otherwise physically connected, before it constitutes an illegal stare," Williams wrote.
In addition to forbidding overt discrimination and harassment such as gay and lesbian jokes or slurs, the university listed a variety of more subtle actions that may offend gays and lesbians.
"Thinking that a homosexual might come on to you," or "jumping when a homosexual touches you on the arm," are offensive reactions, the leaflet says.
The pamphlet, titled "STOP Sexual Orientation Discrimination and Harassment" says heterosexuals may not realize they are discriminating against or offending gays.
"We must learn that our behavior - however harmless it might seem - can often harm someone else's sense of self-worth," the pamphlet says.
It cautions that heterosexuals should not assume all homosexuals are promiscuous or believe that homosexuals are corrupting society.
"It would be laughable if it did not have the consequences that these speech and behavior codes have on college campuses," Williams said in an interview.
George Mason spokesman Daniel Walsch said the leaflet is part of George Mason's diversity program but does not represent university policy.
"It was just designed to make employees and students more sensitive to the issue," Walsch said. "It's not a directive as to how all of us should start acting."
The leaflet is one in a series published by the school's Equity Office.
Another pamphlet addressed racial discrimination in a similar fashion. Unintentional racial discrimination includes using a patronizing tone or acting surprised when a minority performs a task well, it said. Ignoring or interrupting a minority is also offensive, the pamphlet said.
Williams, who is black, did not write about the racial discrimination leaflet when it appeared earlier this fall. "It was along the same lines, but not as silly," Williams said.
All speech and behavior codes are dangerous to free speech and free thought, Williams said.
He cited codes forbidding "inappropriate laughter" at one American college and rules against "conspicuously avoiding conversation," at others.
"They're all ridiculous," he said.
Campus speech and behavior codes have been controversial at several schools, including the University of Pennsylvania, where a student was chastised for calling a group of black sorority sisters "water buffalo."
Antioch University's policy that all sexual activity must be agreed upon in advance was widely publicized.
Kristopher Futrell, president of the George Mason Student Government, said in some cases behavior and speech guidelines do need to be spelled out.
"For some people it is necessary to do that. I value this as a way to increase awareness and sensitivity to things that people might otherwise take for granted or blow off," Futrell said.
George Mason, with 21,300 students, has had few incidents of racial or homosexual discrimination, students and administrators said.
"At our school people can be very supportive," said Brad Berlage, co-chair of the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Student Association. "I haven't really come across any major discrimination, although I know a few people have had problems."
Gay rights were featured in a campus program earlier this year. The administration declared dormitories "Hate-free Zones" and November was named a "Hate-free Month."
by CNB