William Mitchell College of Law faculty voted on Wednesday to oppose a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage which will be on the ballot in November. In an email to faculty, staff and students, Eric Janus, Vice Dean of the school, the resolution was passed by a “substantial majority” of the faculty.
“As you may have heard, this morning the Faculty of William Mitchell adopted a resolution opposing the proposed amendment to the Minnesota Constitution that would constitutionally define marriage as between one man and one woman (That definition is currently state law in Minnesota.)” wrote Janus. “While some Faculty members opposed the resolution, the resolution passed by a substantial majority of the Faculty.
Janus was careful to explain that the resolution is not the college’s stance on the issue, just the faculty’s.
“The faculty resolution expresses the sentiment that adoption of the constitutional amendment might hinder the school’s ability to maintain our culture with respect to LGBT employees and students,” wrote Janus. “Equally as important is our bedrock principle of academic freedom and freedom of expression. The Faculty’s vote does not establish or express an official position of the college on marriage, and every single one of our employees and students remains free to adopt and express her or his own views on the subject of marriage.”
The resolution includes a statement acknowledging that some members of the William Mithcell community may disagree.
“Many people of good faith support [the] Amendment [defining marriage as between one man and one woman], including some co-workers, students, and alumni, and they have every right to do so.”
The resolution can be viewed here.
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