Kansas University has its own policy protecting LGBT students and employees from discrimination, and it’s not affected by the governor’s actions on a similar state order, Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little reminded the KU community on Wednesday.

In a memo to students, faculty and staff, Gray-Little said the university is committed to being an inclusive place where all feel welcome.

“We want to reassure you that yesterday’s executive order at the state level does not alter KU’s non-discrimination policy,” she wrote. “It also does not alter our commitment to an open, inclusive community that is free from fear and discrimination.”

KU’s nondiscrimination policy applies to employees, students, volunteers and affiliates at all of its campuses.

The policy prohibits discrimination based on the following: “race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities.”

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback on Tuesday rescinded nine executive orders originally signed by former Govs. Kathleen Sebelius and Mark Parkinson, one of which specifically gave state employees protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity.

Brownback’s press secretary, Eileen Hawley, said that when Sebelius signed the original order in 2007, she “unilaterally” established two additional classes of protected citizens. She said the governor’s order means state employees will only have the same protections that all other Kansas residents have, and that any expansion should be done through legislation.

The governor’s office has not proposed any protective legislation and did not address why the order was being rescinded now after it had been in place for eight years.