Faculty at the University of Alabama in Huntsville has joined a student protest seeking to stop U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions from speaking at the school's May graduation ceremony.
A petition on Change.org, started by "Friends of UAH faculty," has 51 signatures as of about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.
There are no names publicly associated with the petition. Names of petition signees are restricted to those who have signed the petition.
A student petition preceded the faculty signatures. The student petition, which was posted last weekend, now has 600 signatures.
In a statement Monday to AL.com, UAH indicated it has no intention of rescinding the invitation to Sessions.
"The Honorable Jeff Sessions has ably served the people of Alabama as United States Senator since 1997, and was the unanimous choice for Commencement speaker of a diverse selection committee that represents students, faculty and staff," the school said in a statement to AL.com. "As a university that values inclusiveness, we welcome Senator Sessions with the respect and civility that he and his office deserve."
The faculty petition outlined its objectives in a 700-word letter.
"As proud members of the faculty at the University of Alabama in Huntsville we believe that recipients of Honorary Degrees should reflect the best ideals of the institution," the letter began.
The petition's letter does not mention Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, whom Sessions has endorsed and is working with the GOP front runner's campaign. The relationship with Trump was a central theme of the students' protest.
The faculty letter, however, made a passing reference to the fact that it's an election year.
"Sen. Sessions is always welcome to visit UAH and give a speech, and we encourage him to do so," the letter stated. "However, since students, family, friends, and faculty are obliged to attend graduation, this attendance is an tacit acknowledgement of legitimacy as an honorary degree recipient and mandates participation as an audience for the commencement speaker. This is even more troubling given the dynamics of an election year.
"We, the faculty of the University of Alabama in Huntsville, believe it is our obligation as educators, scholars, subject matter experts, and custodians of the public trust, to communicate our displeasure and disappointment that Sen. Jeff Sessions was selected to be the 2016 commencement speaker and recipient of an honorary degree. Our University should have higher expectations and can do better."