Southern Adventist University affirms that Christian principles are incompatible with various forms of discrimination that have divided modern societies. Southern is committed to equal employment opportunities for all individuals. Southern does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, national origin, veterans, or handicap/disability in its hiring and employment practices. Southern also prohibits harassment and sexual misconduct in the workplace. Southern does, however as a religious organization and employer prefer members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for employment and makes other employment decisions that are consistent with its Christian perspective, including Seventh-day Adventist beliefs pertaining to gender identity and sexual orientation. Full-time faculty and staff (salaried and hourly) are to be members in regular standing of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Southern's Board may exempt individuals from this requirement in special teaching situations for which there are a limited number of Seventh-day Adventist faculty available for hire.