Guilford College

The faculty of Guilford College has adopted a resolution in unity opposing Amendment One, the North Carolina Same-Sex Marriage Amendment.

If approved by voters on May 8, the amendment would add the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman to the state constitution. Same-sex marriage is already banned in the state.

The faculty adopted the following resolution:

“We, the present body of Guilford College faculty, stand in opposition to the proposed Amendment One, finding it in direct contradiction with our core values and oppressive of members of our community, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and their respective families. In this opposition, we affirm and support the struggle towards equality and against the oppressions of all members of our community.”

Following longstanding practice, Guilford College will not take an institutional position on Amendment One or any other matter of public policy.

“The Guilford faculty coming to consensus to oppose this amendment should really say something to North Carolinians. We don’t always speak with one voice, and we almost never speak as a body about ‘political’ issues,” said Lisa McLeod, an associate professor of philosophy.

“We were able to make this statement because the amendment represents a backward step in the protection of human rights. The idea that such a regressive move could be enshrined in the state constitution is just intolerable.”

The faculty action follows the passage in February of a resolution opposing the amendment by Community Senate, the body that represents traditional-age students at the College.

According to the College archivist, the faculty resolution is the first of its kind in Guilford history. As individuals and in groups, faculty members have made statements about important issues in the past, such as U.S. divestment from South Africa in 1987 and Brown v. Board of Education in 1954.