UCF received 2 of 5 stars on Campus Pride's LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index, "a vital tool for assisting campuses in learning ways to improve their LGBT campus life and ultimately shape the educational experience to be more inclusive, welcoming and respectful of LGBT and Ally people."
Faculty and Administrative & Professional employees in the bargaining unit represented by United Faculty of Florida are protected from discrimination by Article 6 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement:
"6.2 Policy (a) Neither the University nor the UFF shall discriminate against or harass any employee based upon race, color, sex, religious creed, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or marital status, nor shall the University or the UFF abridge any rights of employees related to union activity granted under Chapter 447, Florida Statutes, including but not limited to the right to assist or to refrain from assisting the UFF. Personnel decisions shall be based on job-related criteria and performance."
UCF Counseling Center, Diversity Statement:
"The staff at the University of Central Florida Counseling Center have a commitment to providing a safe, welcoming environment for all students regardless of their gender, ethnicity, race, culture, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical and mental abilities, and/or socioeconomic status."
Clinical Psychology, Doctoral Program, Clinical Handbook, 2008-2009, p.18:
"It is the policy of the doctoral program to provide a safe, comfortable, and positive environment for students, faculty, and staff. The doctoral program will not tolerate any discrimination or harassment based on gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious preferences, disability, or age."
UCF College of Medicine
"UCFCOM does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, or physical handicap when administering financial assistance to students."
from 2009-2010 Student Financial Services Guidebook, M.D. Program
2009
8. Office of Student Involvement
A. Student Activities & Organizations
6. Membership
"...In order to comply with the University's commitment to non-discrimination, all students who enroll at the University will be assured equal access to educational programs and related opportunities without regard to race, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, marital or parental status, veteran's status, or sexual orientation."
Previous versions:
2005
15. Student Activities & Organizations
F. Membership
"...In order to comply with the University's commitment to non-discrimination, all students who enroll at the University will be assured equal access to educational programs and related opportunities without regard to race, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, marital or parental status, or veteran's status."
2002
15. Student Activities & Organizations
F. Membership
"...In order to comply with the University's commitment to non-discrimination, no discrimination shall be made on the basis of gender, race, color, creed, age, religion, disability, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation/preference, parental status or veteran's status."
2003-2004-2 Anti-discrimination Policy
Whereas, the University of Central Florida is a vibrant and diverse educational community committed to intellectual enquiry, academic freedom and human rights;
Whereas, each member of the University of Central Florida community is valued and respected regardless of an individual's gender, race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, veterans status, or sexual orientation;
Whereas, the elimination of discrimination on the basis of gender, race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations and veteran status has been facilitated by the adoption of an anti discrimination policy which affirmatively expresses the University of Central Florida's commitment to protect members of most of the aforementioned groups from discrimination;
Whereas, efforts to prevent both discrimination and hate motivated violence against lesbians, gay men and bisexuals are hampered by the failure of responsible institutions to include sexual orientation in their anti discrimination policies;
Whereas, the University of Central Florida community includes members who are lesbian, gay and bisexual;
Whereas, the University of Central Florida's peer institutions, including but not limited to the University of Florida, the University of Michigan, the University of Virginia, the University of Minnesota, the University of North Carolina, the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Wisconsin, the University of Washington, the University of Arizona, the University of Illinois, Ohio State University, the University of Kansas, Indiana University, the University of Nebraska, the University of Texas, Pennsylvania State University, the University of Maryland and Rutgers University, each has expanded their respective anti discrimination policies to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Faculty Senate of the University of Central Florida encourages the administration of the University of Central Florida to support the expansion of UCF’s anti-discrimination policy to include sexual orientation, consistent with State and Federal laws.
Approved by the Faculty Senate on October 23, 2003.
Forwarded to the Provost on October 27, 2003.
Not approved by the Provost on December 29, 2003 with the following comment: Provost stated that a policy will need to be implemented.
2002-2003-3 Inclusion of Sexual Orientation in the University Nondiscrimination Policies
Whereas, the University of Central Florida is a vibrant and diverse educational community committed to intellectual inquiry, academic freedom and human rights,
And
Whereas, one of the five goals of the University of Central Florida is to become more inclusive and diverse,
And
Whereas, the elimination of discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, age, disability or handicap, religion, veteran's status, marital status, parental status, or national origin has been facilitated by the adoption of nondiscrimination policies which affirmatively express the University of Central Florida's commitment to protect members of these groups from discrimination,
And
Whereas, the lack of sexual orientation protection significantly weakens the ability of the University of Central Florida to recruit and retain high quality faculty and staff,
And
Whereas, efforts to prevent both discrimination and hate-motivated violence against lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals are hampered by the failure of responsible institutions to include sexual orientation in their nondiscrimination policies,
And
Whereas, the issue of "sexual orientation" is already represented in "The Golden Rule",
Be it resolved that the Faculty Senate of the University of Central Florida recommends that the university administration consistently include "sexual orientation" in all possible nondiscrimination statements; further the Faculty Senate recommends that the university administration request that the Board of Trustees and its legal counsel in appropriate consultation with governing agencies adopt this language in nondiscrimination policies regarding employment at the university.
Approved by the Faculty Senate on March 27, 2003.
Forwarded to Provost Whitehouse on March 28, 2003.
Memo from Dr. Whitehouse on 5/9/03:President Hitt, Deans, Vice Presidents and the General Counsel's Office relative to Resolution 2002-2003-3 dealing with the inclusion of sexual orientation in university nondiscrimination polices issue. We certainly welcome the dialogue on this very important issue, but it is our interpretation that we do not have the authority to implement this particular resolution. Unfortunately, we will have to deny this resolution.
The following policy statements appeared on the respective unit web sites sometime between 2002 & 2005 but could not be located on those unit web sites in recent years.
Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities:
"The University of Central Florida values diversity in the campus community. Accordingly, discrimination on the basis of race, sex, national origin, religion, age disability, marital status, or veteran's status is prohibited by federal and/or state law. Moreover, the university seeks to treat all persons fairly without regard for other differences, including sexual orientation/preference."
Orientation Services:
"Orientation Services, within the University of Central Florida, promotes affirmative action and equal opportunity in education and employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, sexual or affectional preference, ancestry, national origin, disability, or veteran status."
UCF School of Social Work:
"Consistent with the University of Central Florida’s policy regarding equal opportunity and affirmative action, the school of Social Work is committed to carrying out its program without regard to sex, race, national origin, religion, handicap, sexual orientation, or veteran status. The School provides opportunities to students without regard to race, sex, color, handicap, religion, sexual orientation, or ethnic origin."
UCF Graduate Studies:
"Guidelines for Good Practice in Graduate Education"
It is also imperative that faculty: