EDITORIAL: Make it official, Pitt

‘ ‘ ‘ In its recent decision to change its non-discrimination policy, Pitt took a huge step in… ‘ ‘ ‘ In its recent decision to change its non-discrimination policy, Pitt took a huge step in the right direction. The University will soon add ‘gender identity and expression’ to the list of protected items. ‘ ‘ ‘ Currently, University policy prohibits discrimination based on race or color, religion, nationality, sex, age, marital or familial status, disability, sexual orientation and veteran status. ‘ ‘ ‘ The change will protect students against discrimination for expressing their gender identity. ‘ ‘ ‘ This means that whether students view or present themselves as male or female, their rights would not be impaired. Pitt’s Rainbow Alliance, a student group advocating gay, lesbian, transgender and queer concerns, had been pushing for the change for two years. ‘ ‘ ‘ The group’s vice president, Kelly Coburn, told The Pitt News, ‘It seems to me that Pitt is very willing to make important changes once it’s pointed out they’re important … I think most students won’t even notice the change, but my hope is that a lot of students will be impacted by it.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ Coburn said that the change can affect any student, but will, above all, apply to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community. ‘ ‘ ‘ Based upon the University’s actions, it is clear that the culture of fear surrounding equal rights to the LGBTQA community is gradually diminishing. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘It is a policy change that had been made during the summer, building on a recommendation that had come from the Student Government Board last year,’ Chancellor Mark Nordenberg told The Pitt News. ‘ ‘ ‘ We applaud the University for its decision. Acknowledging and protecting the rights of every student makes Pitt a much more open and accepting university. ‘ ‘ ‘ However, there’s still the small possibility that the policy inclusion might not become an official reality when presented to Pitt’s Board of Trustees. ‘ ‘ ‘ While Chancellor Nordenberg confirmed the change and was enthusiastic in speaking about it, he also said he didn’t think it had been passed formally. ‘ ‘ ‘ Other Pitt officials have not confirmed the change. In fact, many University officials were not aware of the change. ‘ ‘ ‘ University spokesman John Fedele said talk of the change was ‘bad information.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ Whether this is miscommunication or disorganization is unclear. ‘ ‘ ‘ But, either way, University officials should make it one of their priorities to come to a complete, official decision on the matter ‘mdash; maybe even as soon as when the Trustees convene in October. ‘ ‘ ‘ Inconsistency of thought and information between Pitt officials makes it seem as though Pitt is not serious about implementing this change quickly. ‘ ‘ ‘ As a result, it is difficult to say, at this point, when the policy will formally include the addition. ‘ ‘ ‘ We hope that Pitt officials will end any miscommunication or disorganization and start acting on the same page, especially where students’ rights are concerned. ‘ ‘ ‘ Only then can the University officially send the message that discrimination will not be tolerated and that all students, faculty and staff will receive equal treatment on campus.