'You're fired."

An administrator cannot utter these ominous words to University employees simply on the basis of their race, religion, sex, handicap or age. Nor may disabled or Vietnam-era veterans be dismissed because of their status.

But under the University's current non-discrimination policy, gay men and lesbians can get the ax for their sexual orientation.

If University officials want to ensure equal protection for all members of this community, they need to add sexual orientation to the non-discrimination statement.

University officials said revising the non-discrimination policy would be ineffective now because state and federal laws do not prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. Adding the clause also could lead to lawsuits from disgruntled employees and students.

Even if the government does not protect all of the population, that is no reason for the University to leave one group open to discrimination. Under the current policy, the University cannot take disciplinary action against students or employees for discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Furthermore, the possibility of lawsuits is the purpose of adding the clause. To not allow gay men and lesbians legal recourse against discrimination contradicts the University's fundamental purpose of providing equal access to education.

Under an executive order from Gov. Robert P. Casey, the University might soon be required to add a sexual orientation clause to its non-discrimination policy. But the University should act of its own accord before the state finds it necessary to mandate the addition.

Penn State attempted to avoid complying with the order on the basis that it is a state-related university and, therefore, exempt from Casey's executive order.

However, the University holds 10 contracts with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, totaling about $500,000. Any outside agency must comply with the governor's order if it holds contracts with state departments.

The University of Pennsylvania, Temple University and the University of Pittsburgh already include sexual orientation in their non-discrimination policies. Penn State needs to follow suit.

For gay men and lesbians to have somewhere to turn at this University if they encounter discrimination, adding sexual orientation to the non-discrimination policy is a necessary prerequisite.