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By Kent Larsen
Novell Drops Donations To Scouts Over Homosexuality
PROVO, UTAH -- International network software maker Novell, Inc. has
decided to stop matching employee donations to the Boy Scouts of America, the
company announced recently. The company cited the BSA's victorious
Supreme Court case this past June as evidence that the Scouts discriminate as
the basis of several orientation. The company's policy prohibits
donations to organizations that do so.
"Novell has criteria for organizations that can participate [in
the campaign]. It is a fairly standard line about not discriminating on
the basis of race, religion or sexual orientation," said Novell
spokesman Bruce Lowry. "The Boy Scouts of America no longer complies with that
requirement, based on the Supreme Court decision." The Supreme Court ruled in
the Boy Scouts of America v. Dale case last June that the BSA has a right to
exclude gays.
The policy change is somewhat surprising given the company's Mormon
connections. Based in Provo, Utah, Novell employs 2,500 people, more
than half its workforce, in Utah county, most of whom are members of the
LDS Church. The company is also included on the Mormon Stock Index,
because members of its management team are Mormons.
The company defended its decision to local employees by citing the
international nature of its business. "Utahns tend to look at
Novell as just a Utah company. The headquarters are here, but we are a global
company," said Lowry. "We have to ensure we have a very open, competitive
work situation." The company emphasized that employees can still
donate to many charities that are eligible for Novell's matching funds, and that
employees can still donate to the BSA without Novell's matching funds.
The decison will not have a significant financial effect on the
Scouts. The company says that no more than $5,000 of its matching funds went to
the Boy Scouts of America in any one of the past five years.
Source:
Novell Halts Boy Scout Contributions, Cites Its Anti-Discrimination Policy
Salt Lake Tribune 11Nov00 B4
By Bob Mims: Salt Lake Tribune
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