A forum on campus climate Feb. 15
gave students a chance to discuss issues
facing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer students at the University. Many
campus administrators and student leaders
attended the forum to listen to student
concerns and suggestions, but refrained
from commenting.
On Wednesday night the second part of the forum was held in the Browsing Room of the Knight Library to give the approximately
30 students who attended a chance to hear from administrators and other officials. This time, administrators responded to questions brought up at the first forum.
Among the administrators and leaders
attending the forum were Vice Provost for
Institutional Equity and Diversity Greg
Vincent, Vice President for Student Affairs Anne Leavitt, Director and Associate Dean
of Student Life Laura Blake Jones, ASUO
President Adam Petkun, Director of LGBT
Education and Support Services Chicora
Martin, Director of Diversity Education and Support Kimi Mojica and Director of Student Judicial Affairs Chris Loschiavo.
The forum began with administrators
giving a summary of what they heard at the Feb. 15 forum.
“We hear strong, clear, frustrated and eager student voices,” Leavitt said. “(Campus)
climate is a responsibility for administration, but not administration alone.”
Vincent reiterated that while the diversity action plan is a five-year plan, there are
things happening right now that must be dealt with immediately.
Petkun addressed a recurring theme throughout the night regarding a lack of
answers for students.
“It’s not acceptable to say that you want
to help but don’t know how to and passing them on to someone new,” Petkun said. “It should be people saying ‘I don’t know but I’ll come with you and help you find an answer.’”
After summarizing the first forum, different leaders responded to student concerns, speaking about projects
already in progress or being completed.
Martin discussed the Gender
Equity Team, a group that has
already succeeded in changing
the equal opportunity statement
to include gender identity and
expression. The GET is also in the process of finishing its surveys and mapping of gender-neutral restrooms and facilities.
Mojica discussed the Bias Response Team’s role on campus and the
different strategies it has to fight
different forms of discrimination.
Some of the BRT’s solutions for different discriminatory problems include having classes taped for a student who feels uncomfortable in a classroom environment and using student advocates to support
students going through anti-
discriminatory processes.
Vincent said that after attending the first forum, he and the rest
of the staff working on the diversity plan added a sixth initiative,
which would focus on keeping
the campus climate safe for all
diversity groups.
As well as discussing initiatives already in place and in progress,
the forum examined ideas brought up at the first forum that
needed more discussion. Forum participants talked about speaking with University Housing, talking with the orientation staff
regarding different possibilities
for educational opportunities,
looking at whether diversity
and classroom climate issues are covered on the teacher evaluation form and doing more research on multicultural requirements.
Loschiavo talked about changes that are not possible. Most of what he addressed regarded the balance between First Amendment rights and hate speech.
“This is a really complex
issue,” Loschiavo said. “There are competing interests between free speech and hate speech. We have to protect the rights of everyone to say what they feel like they need to say. When you take away rights
from one group you take it away from all.”
The evening ended with students talking directly to administrators about suggestions, concerns and questions regarding different topics brought up during the evening.
Students said the mood after the forum was positive.
“It’s great that the administration came back with working models,” LGBT Issues Coordinator Stacy Borke said. Borke also works at the ASUO Women’s Center and for
the Bias Response Team. “Seeing the administration here is
very promising.”
Vincent said it is important for students to know that campus
leaders are working for them.
“It’s important that we as campus leaders are checking back in so that they know we have heard them,” Vincent said.
Petkun said that while the forums are a good starting point and a good place for people to speak their minds, “forums shouldn’t be
the only place that students feel comfortable voicing their thoughts and opinions.”
Future forums and symposiums are in the planning stages.
Some possibilities include forums on free-speech or campus climate and safety issues.
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