The University's Non-discrimination Policy Review Committee will hear the opinions of several campus organizations on adding the words "sexual orientation" to the University's non-discrimination policy.

The public hearing will take place from 10 to 3 this afternoon in the Keller Conference Center.

University Faculty Senate members created the committee in December after University President Joab Thomas requested the Senate review his recently drafted non-discrimination clause. The committee -- nine faculty members, one graduate students and one undergraduate student -- will get the faculty and student perspective on the issue.

After the committee reviews the information from the hearing, it will present a general consensus to the Faculty Senate, which will make a recommendation to Thomas and the University Board of Trustees.

Donald Rung, professor of mathematics and chairman of the newly formed committee, said he thinks the Faculty Senate will formulate its recommendation by its March meeting.

More than 20 people said they will speak on the issue, he said.

Mike LaFlam, president of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Student Alliance, and one of the speakers, said Thomas' proposal was not specific enough.

Members of the gay community opposed Thomas' clause last semester because of the omission of the words "sexual orientation."

He said it makes no sense to add the more lengthy clause to the University's existing non-discrimination policy when two words would be more direct.

But Pastor Glen Bayly, campus minister for the Alliance Christian Fellowship, will speak against adding the sexual orientation phrase.

"I think it would be a mistake for the Faculty Senate to endorse the addition of the sexual orientation clause," Bayly said. "We have a lot of sexually related problems on this campus including sexually transmitted diseases, and I don't think it's right to endorse a lifestyle that can prove dangerous."

Rung said today's meeting will not be a debate or an argument but a hearing where committee members will hear testimony and draw conclusions.

"As a committee we received a lot of literature and information we were required to study and also had invited guests such as attorneys and campus organization representatives who provided us with information," Rung said.

The committee's undergraduate student representative Shannon Burke said she will consider all student views at the hearing. Andrew Jackson Sr. will represent graduate students on the committee.

Jackson is a Graduate Student Association member, Student Life Committee member and a College of Education advisor.

Other committee members include: Janet Atwood, associate professor of health and exercise science; Donald Fahnline, Altoona campus physics professor; David Gold, professor of geology; Gordon Hamilton, professor of chemistry; Robert Pangborn, professor of engineering mechanics; Paul Shellenberger, professor of dairy science; Nancy Tischler, professor of English and humanities professor; and Robert Seeds, University librarian.