Southern Utah University's board of trustees unanimously voted on Friday to protect LGBT students from discrimination.

The board amended the antidiscrimination policy to include sexual orientation as a protected group in the university's student rights, responsibilities, and conduct policies and procedures handbook. 

The student senate passed a resolution that endorsed the policy change November 4, but it needed the support of the board of trustees to amend the handbook.

"I think it's good that the board of trustees recognized the importance of providing equal protection for students so the campus atmosphere is safe, friendly, and accommodating to everyone regardless of their sexual orientation," said SUU student body president Cody Alderson (pictured), reports the St. George Daily Spectrum.

Currently, Brigham Young University is the only institution of higher education in Utah not to include sexual orientation in its equal protection policy.