As part of the University’s efforts to follow Civil Rights Laws, Registered Student Organizations (RSO) were required to sign the Anti-Discrimination Policy in order to retain their good standing as an organization.
Recently, changes have been made to CORES/CAMS group funding and RSO mission statement requirements in compliance with new federal civil rights laws. MSU Student Affairs urged RSOs to change their mission statements by adding: ‘All programs and activities are open to all without restriction or preference based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin or other protected personal identity.’
According to University Communications Officer Kat Cooper, Student Affairs is taking additional steps to ensure RSOs understand and agree that nondiscrimination means that they cannot treat people differently based on their protected identity.
Under the Anti-Discrimination Policy (ADP), protected identities are defined as ‘age, color, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), genetic information, disability status, ethnicity, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation), military or veteran status, or weight.’
Specifically, RSOs are now unable to restrict their membership, leadership, events, awards or opportunities to students. Furthermore, RSOs cannot grant any special treatment to people based on their protected identity.
These signatures were due on Monday and 967 RSOs have fully completed the ADP Affirmation, while 51 RSOs have not completed it as of Friday, Nov. 14.
Organizations that have signed the affirmation include Black Students’ Alliance, Asian Pacific American Student Organization and International Student Association. The Salt Company Fellowship, United Nations Association and Taekwondo Club have not signed the affirmation.
Organizations such as BSA and CRU have signed, though previously they spoke out against these new changes.
Contacted RSOs did not respond to the request for comment.
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