Legislation

The CROWN Act 

Throughout United States history, hair texture and hairstyle has been used to unfairly treat or discriminate on individuals. The CROWN Act seeks to end that discrimination and implicit bias.

On Thursday, November 14, 2024, the Baylor University Student Senate passed SR 72-01, the CROWN Act, which stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair. Authored by Senator Spencer Yim, chair of the Student Senate committee focused on belonging and community, the CROWN Act culminated a semester of hard work and collaboration between various campus partners and student organizations, including the Equity, Civil Rights, Title IX Office, and the ROOTS Natural Hair Club.

The CROWN Act is a groundbreaking initiative that seeks to be the first step in ending discrimination and implicit bias. 27 states, including Texas, have instituted legal protections against natural hair discrimination, and the Baylor CROWN Act will codify into the Civil Rights Code prohibitions against discrimination on the basis of hair texture or style in the Baylor community.

Works still remains to ensure that all Baylor students feel belonging on campus, but the CROWN Act is a critical step towards creating a better community for all. By passing the CROWN Act unanimously, Student Government seeks to send a clear and resounding message that discrimination and implicit bias against natural hair is not tolerated on our campus- not today, not tomorrow, not ever. By addressing this implicit bias, we can strive to create a culture of belonging and respect at Baylor for all students.

The beauty in natural hair should never be overlooked or denied. Instead, it needs to be celebrated, respected, and valued as part of our mission to love all people as God has first loved us. (1 John 4:19)

This is just a beginning. It’s a new day at Baylor! Sic’Em!