A. In recognition that global educational opportunities benefit the intellectual and economic interests of the Commonwealth, the board may establish, operate, and govern a branch campus of the University in the State of Qatar. The board has the same powers with respect to operation and governance of its branch campus in Qatar as are vested in the board by law with respect to the University. In operating such branch campus, the board shall provide appropriate professional opportunities for Virginia-based faculty to teach or conduct research on the Qatar campus and educational opportunities for Virginia-based students to study or conduct research on the Qatar campus.
B. Nothing contained in this section shall be deemed a waiver of the sovereign immunity of the Commonwealth or the University.
C. In its operation of any branch campus established in the State of Qatar, the board and its employees shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity and shall not abridge the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and religion. Any agreement that the board enters to establish, operate, or govern the branch campus in Qatar shall contain contractual assurances to the board that the branch campus shall operate without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity and without abridging the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and religion.