Defend Diversity at UT-Knoxville: Veto SB1912

The Legislature passed SB1912/HB2248 that removes funding from the Office for Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Sign this petition that we will deliver to Governor Haslam asking him to veto the bill.

Governor Haslam, we call on you to veto SB1912/HB2248 and protect the University of Tennessee-Knoxville's Office for Diversity and Inclusion. The office plays a vital role in making the university competitive for the best students, faculty, and staff and it makes campus life welcoming for all. Thank you for considering our views.

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Candace Henry signed via Mallory Ladd 2016-04-26 22:15:31 -0500
Jessie Delaney posted about this on Facebook 2016-04-26 22:02:58 -0500
Sign the petition: Defend Diversity at UT-Knoxville: Veto SB1912
Jessie VanderLaan-Delaney signed via Jason Brown 2016-04-26 22:02:31 -0500

I urge you to veto SB1912/HB2248. Limiting funding for diversity on the University of Tennessee’s campus would have disastrous effects, for it’s student body, faculty, staff, and alumni. This office offers training that helps ensure the safety and inclusion of it’s entire student body, while also offering lectures and reading programs. By diminishing the funding of the office of diversity on UT’s campus, you are sending a message to all existing and potential students, faculty, staff, visiting scholars, artists, authors, scientists that the variety of their contributions to the campus is inconsequential. You threaten the academic vigor, the range of experience, and the very safety of the student body. Please uphold the commitment to diversity: of gender, of race, of religion, of culture, and of thought.

As an alumni of the graduate program and former staff member of UT, I implore you to veto the senseless passing of these measures.

Jessie VanderLaan-Delaney
Roger Hutson signed 2016-04-26 21:54:20 -0500
Ruby Strange signed via Anna Masson 2016-04-26 21:50:57 -0500
Johanna Smith signed via Chris Purcell 2016-04-26 21:42:04 -0500
Sally Brogden signed via Jason Brown 2016-04-26 21:33:33 -0500
Ashley Webster signed 2016-04-26 21:29:06 -0500
Lynn Woodmansee signed 2016-04-26 21:21:35 -0500
Svetlana Nkurunziza signed via Mallory Ladd 2016-04-26 21:19:45 -0500
Monica Juma signed via Arthur Sutherland, M.D. 2016-04-26 21:15:53 -0500
connie strnat signed via Mallory Ladd 2016-04-26 21:10:17 -0500
Avery Cawood signed via Mallory Ladd 2016-04-26 21:05:32 -0500

As a UTK graduate and a free speech Tennessean, I request this bill be vetoed.
Jason Brown posted about this on Facebook 2016-04-26 21:03:37 -0500
Sign the petition: Defend Diversity at UT-Knoxville: Veto SB1912
Chris Kaiser signed 2016-04-26 21:03:21 -0500
Jason Brown signed via Mallory Ladd 2016-04-26 21:03:04 -0500
Sara Stein signed via Mallory Ladd 2016-04-26 20:57:21 -0500
Michelle Banks signed 2016-04-26 20:55:05 -0500
Stacey Williams signed 2016-04-26 20:53:53 -0500
Rev. Michael Alford signed 2016-04-26 20:53:48 -0500
Rolanda Mack signed via Mallory Ladd 2016-04-26 20:51:35 -0500
Courtney Henry signed via Mallory Ladd 2016-04-26 20:50:03 -0500
Victoria Mills signed via Mallory Ladd 2016-04-26 20:38:19 -0500
Hannah Hall signed via Laura S. Wheat 2016-04-26 20:30:51 -0500
Robert Keeton signed via Mallory Ladd 2016-04-26 20:27:43 -0500

I am an alumnus of UTK and I am disgusted at this effort to defund diversity programs. Please veto this backward legislation.
Anthony Adams signed via Mallory Ladd 2016-04-26 20:27:16 -0500
Julie Edwards signed via Mallory Ladd 2016-04-26 20:12:16 -0500
Mike Geiser signed via Mallory Ladd 2016-04-26 20:06:53 -0500
Mary Geiser signed via Mallory Ladd 2016-04-26 20:06:15 -0500
Sarah Heller signed via Mallory Ladd 2016-04-26 20:05:26 -0500