Yale College faculty passed a resolution Thursday expressing concern about a partnership with the National University of Singapore -- voting for the measure even after President Richard Levin made a strong appeal that they not do so.

The resolution, penned by Professor Seyla Benhabib, asks the administration to not compromise Yale's values on discrimination and academic freedom as it expands to Singapore. Benhabib did not return an e-mail requesting comment. Yale officials have said that the resolution was not needed. Homosexuality is illegal in the prosperous Asian city-state, and free speech is limited. Some faculty members have campaigned against the partnership in recent weeks, saying it would damage Yale’s values to help run a college in such a place. Yale does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The final vote tally wasn’t immediately clear, though a source said it was a split vote that passed with a healthy majority...