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NewsJune 25, 2006

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- After more than a decade of controversy over the subject, a Missouri State University commission has recommended that the school add "sexual orientation" to its nondiscrimination policy. The diversity commission's recommendation is one of many contained in a preliminary report posted on its Web site and released to faculty and staff Friday...

The Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- After more than a decade of controversy over the subject, a Missouri State University commission has recommended that the school add "sexual orientation" to its nondiscrimination policy.

The diversity commission's recommendation is one of many contained in a preliminary report posted on its Web site and released to faculty and staff Friday.

The issue prompted more than a decade of bitter clashes between gays and lesbians and their supporters and former president John Keiser and the board of governors. Keiser called homosexuality "a biological perversion" and argued that adding sexual orientation to the nondiscrimination policy would wrongly protect a specific group of people.

Current president Mike Nietzel, who created the commission last fall, told the Springfield News-Leader in an e-mail Friday that he will not say where he stands on the issue until the campus community has opportunity to comment and he discusses it with board members.

Nietzel said he will forward the commission's recommendations to the board for consideration in the fall, after the final three seats on the board are filled by Gov. Matt Blunt.

"It wouldn't be fair to not allow the full board to decide the issue," said Nietzel.

The board last considered the issue two years ago. Similar proposals failed five times in the past 12 years when Keiser was president.

Mary Shied, vice president of the board, wouldn't speculate on what the group would decide. But she said she is happy there'll be a "dialogue that makes sense" with a full board.

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"Everybody feels strongly no matter what side of the issue they're on. There haven't been any formal or informal discussions. ... We hope to have a reasonable discussion," she said.

Last week, the board approved extending health services at Taylor Health Center to household members of faculty and staff.

'A big step forward'

Holly Baggett, a history professor and president of the Lambda Alliance, the gay and lesbian organization at Missouri State, said earlier this week that the change is "a big step forward" in getting gays more recognition on campus.

But Nietzel cautioned that the change in Taylor benefits should not be connected to the nondiscrimination policy issue.

"I wouldn't read too much into that," he said. The Taylor change "is an attempt to make services available to individuals."

Jana Estergard, co-chair of the diversity commission, said current attitudes and demeanor are vastly different from previous discussions.

"Under Dr. Nietzel's leadership, we have had a diversity dialogue for some time," she said. "It's been a very civil dialogue. It's fabulous. There is a collegial way to disagree and not all agree with the change."

In his cover letter accompanying the report, Nietzel wrote that the document contains many recommendations that the university should consider for fostering an "open, encouraging environment for its students, faculty, and staff" and promoting a curriculum that prepares graduates for an increasingly diverse world.

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