U of M Senate opposes marriage amendment

The University of Minnesota Senate has voted to oppose a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage.

The senate represents faculty, academic professionals, university staff and students across the University of Minnesota's five campuses. The vote follows a similar vote in March by the university's Student Senate, which represents 67,000 students.

The vote Thursday followed a brief discussion in which several faculty members and students argued the resolution should be adopted. It passed on a voice vote. The senate is also calling upon all members of the university community to discourage discrimination.

The constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage will go before Minnesota voters in November.