Virginia Tech slashes antibias protections

Students, faculty members, and administrators are raising questions about Virginia Tech's surprise decision to delete all references to sexual orientation from the university's nondiscrimination clause. The university's Student Government Association has consulted an lawyer about forcing the board to reinsert the nondiscrimination language. "The role of the SGA is to represent and protect all students, and we plan to do so," said SGA president Sterling Daniel. Some school officials predict the changes will have a chilling effect on the university's efforts to achieve diversity by sending the wrong message to underrepresented groups. Barry Simmons, director of scholarships and financial aid at Virginia Tech, said he does not expect the new policy to greatly affect his office but that it could harm the school's image. "It sends a very mixed message," he said.