A Kansas University faculty council blasted the school's administration for moving a Chick-fil-A restaurant into a student union on campus. In a letter addressed to the school's chancellor and its community, the council described the move as "insulting, counterproductive, and unacceptable."
The restaurant chain has been operating in the basement of another building, Wescoe Hall, for 15 years prior to the decision to relocate.
In addition to relocating the restaurant, the administration announced the restaurant chain will sponsor the opening coin toss at KU football games, according to the Kansas City Star.
The administration recently signed a five-year deal with Chick-fil-A, and appears to be committed to the contract despite the objection, the Star reported. The administration will save $2.6 million by moving the restaurant because it will no longer have to renovate the original location in Wescoe Hall.
The faculty council letter objects to the evangelical-owned restaurant chain, which liberal critics have attacked for its perceived stances on same-sex marriage and other social issues.
Chick-fil-A "has a history of supporting organizations that are hostile to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people, families, and communities" and is a "bastion of bigotry," according to the letter.
"The culture of Chick-fil-A fosters hate and discrimination on multiple levels," the letter reads. The restaurant's presence on campus "stands in direct contrast to the university's mission of fostering a multicultural, inclusive environment," it continues.
The faculty council demands the administration guarantee the contract with Chick-fil-A will not be renewed when it expires. It also calls on the administration to make the process of choosing on-campus vendors more transparent and inclusive, and urges its allies and members to boycott the restaurant.
"We look forward to educating the larger KU community about Chick-fil-A and working with KU to find a replacement vendor that better reflects our KU values," the letter concluded. It is signed by the Sexuality and Gender Diversity Faculty Staff Council.
The campus's College Republicans group created an online petition to support the restaurant chain, the Daily Wire reported.
Chick-fil-A recently made headlines for its feud with Popeyes, which introduced a rival chicken sandwich.