Antidiscrimination Resolution Passed

This Resolution by the Council of the Graduate and Professional Student Association concerning discrimination at the University of New Mexico is adopted on October 9, 2007.

WHEREAS The University of New Mexico is an educational and academic community committed to diversity, equity and freedom from persecution for all students, staff and faculty;

WHEREAS The Graduate and Professional Student Association (henceforth GPSA) advocates on behalf of all graduate and professional students at University of New Mexico (henceforth UNM);

WHEREAS The GPSA is committed to improving the general situation of graduate and professional students, specifically creating an environment in which all students are free from all forms of discrimination which include but are not limited to age, ancestry, national origin, color, race, gender identity, medical condition, mental or physical disability, religion, sex, sexual harassment, sexual orientation, spousal affiliation, and veteran status;1

WHEREAS In the event of discrimination the Office of Equal Opportunity has set up a grievance procedure available to victims of discrimination, including students, staff and faculty;

WHEREAS The Office of Equal Opportunity grievance procedure is inadequately advertised and not readily available to students, staff and faculty;

IT IS RESOLVED That the GPSA will take on a leadership role and continue to advocate against discrimination on UNM campus;

IT IS RESOLVED That GPSA in conjunction with the University administration and the Office of Institutional Diversity will set up guidelines for educational trainings/workshops about discrimination, hate crimes and tolerance for all student organizations;

IT IS RESOLVED That the GPSA will request that the Office of Equal Opportunity make their policies and procedures in relation to discrimination and harassment widely available and advertised at the beginning of each semester (through brochures and other publications, i.e. Daily Lobo) to all students, staff and faculty;

IT IS RESOLVED That the GPSA will sponsor forums and discussions to promote an atmosphere of tolerance and understanding at UNM.

1 Protected classes identified by the UNM Office of Equal Opportunity (www.unm.edu/~ oeounm/index.htm)