President threatens prior review

The board of trustees decided not to adopt an anti-discrimination policy that would give specific protection to homosexuals on Friday.

Whitworth was pushed to either claim a religious exemption or comply with the Anderson-Murray Bill, a new Washington state law extending the previous Washington Civil Rights Act beyond protection previously guaranteed by the federal government.

Whitworth has traditionally and intentionally not taken a stance on the issue.

The board made the decision in executive session, which is not open to the public.

The decision was released to Whitworthian, Whitworth's student newspaper, reporter Leah Motz following the executive session.

The only mention of the debate that would take place occurred in the opening session of the board meetings.

"[The board will] discuss the issue related to the non-discrimination policy and how we will respond to the recent state legislation," Robinson said.

Robinson had threatened to put the student newspaper, The Whitworthian, under prior review if it covered the story.

The Whitworthian ran an article last week announcing the board would be making the decision. Instead of prior review, Robinson agreed the editor-in-chief, Peter Smelser, would call and read back the quotes within context.

The newspaper is protected from prior review by administration unless the article could open the school to a lawsuit.

Currently, The Whitworthian is working to strengthen its rights in the student handbook. Administrators put the proposed student handbook changes on hold until next fall.