For the past few days, MSU has been hosting the NOAC, or National Order of the Arrow Conference. The Order of the Arrow, or OA, is an organization within Boy Scouts of America, or BSA, that recognizes and facilitates leadership skills in Scouts and Scouters — BSA affiliates older than 18.

Having myself been a member of the BSA and the OA, as I walk by the hoards of canvas pant/sash wearing individuals, memories come flooding back. I would not trade my experience with Scouts for anything; it has helped to make me who I am today. But the man I am today would not be allowed to participate in BSA.

One cannot help but see the insignia of the BSA without thinking to the recent reaffirmation by the national BSA leadership to uphold discriminatory laws that bar openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, or LGBT, leaders from participating in the Scouting movement.

This is by no means a new policy; in 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld this long-standing tradition. But I, along with a greater part of the LGBT community, had hoped that when the subject came up again in 2012, progress and inclusion would win out. We were wrong. In a statement released by the national spokesmen of the BSA, the organization that I hold so dear doubled down on its antiquated policy, and hope was once again lost.

In the wake of this disheartening news, MSU now plays host to an organization whose policies are in direct conflict with the Spartan nation’s policy of inclusion and nondiscrimination. MSU and East Lansing have long been bastions for equality, a place where the LGBT community and others can be who they are openly and without apology.

I am not a warrior for overhauling the BSA — they can legally bar adult leadership as they see fit. I am, however, an advocate for changing hearts and minds by example. I strongly feel that MSU, as a community, should reassert its inclusionary policies by ensuring future business with discriminatory organizations is halted.

Brian Doyle, University Advancement secretary