THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT ASHEVILLE FACULTY SENATE Senate Document Number 4091S Date of Senate Approval 4/11/91 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Statement of Faculty Senate Action: Policy on Sexual Orientation It is the policy of The University of North Carolina at Asheville that an individual's sexual orientation is irrelevant to educational and employment decisions. Any non-faculty employee of The University of North Carolina at Asheville having a complaint of discrimination because of sexual orientation should notify the immediate supervisor or the Director of Personnel. A faculty member should notify the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. A student should notify the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. At any time, a student or employee may call the Affirmative Action Officer or the Counselling Center. The Senate requests that the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs arrange with other chancellors a consistant procedure for pursuing complaints of discrimination. Rationale The University of North Carolina at Asheville believes that educational and employment decisions should be based on the abilities and qualifications of individuals and should not be based on irrelevant factors or personal characteristics that have no connection with academic abilities or job performance. Among the traditional factors which are generally "irrelevant" are race, sex, religion, and national origin. It is the policy of The University of North Carolina at Asheville that the sexual orientation of an individual be treated in the same manner. Such a policy ensures that only relevant factors are considered and that equitable and consistent standards of conduct and performance are applied.