Spring Break
Safe Space aims to foster equality
SHANESSA FAKOUR
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: News
There is discrimination on campus against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students, two University groups said.
Every student and faculty member has the responsibility to help these students feel safe and promote an environment of equality at the University, according to an outline issued by the Safe Space program, which is a part of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center and Lambda Alliance.
Students and faculty can gain awareness by participating in Safe Space, an on-campus training program.
Michael Shutt, assistant dean of students, oversees the program and said Tuesday in an interview the program's mission is "to provide awareness, knowledge and action on what to do" to create positive change.
Students, faculty and staff can attend the training program, which is held once a month during the fall and spring semesters.
There is a confidentiality agreement made between the volunteers who run the program and those attending.
The agreement provides a safe environment to talk about issues of difference, Shutt said.
Safe Space began after a 2002 report detailed the University's slow response to students who had experienced discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
A group of volunteers who wanted to create a safer environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students started the Safe Space program the same year.
The program showed two short videos about coming out, according to the Safe Space program.
It defined terms such as "queer," "gender expression" and "transgender."
National, state and local laws and policies regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues were provided.
More than 500 people have been trained at the University since the program started.
Every student and faculty member has the responsibility to help these students feel safe and promote an environment of equality at the University, according to an outline issued by the Safe Space program, which is a part of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center and Lambda Alliance.
Students and faculty can gain awareness by participating in Safe Space, an on-campus training program.
Michael Shutt, assistant dean of students, oversees the program and said Tuesday in an interview the program's mission is "to provide awareness, knowledge and action on what to do" to create positive change.
Students, faculty and staff can attend the training program, which is held once a month during the fall and spring semesters.
There is a confidentiality agreement made between the volunteers who run the program and those attending.
The agreement provides a safe environment to talk about issues of difference, Shutt said.
Safe Space began after a 2002 report detailed the University's slow response to students who had experienced discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
A group of volunteers who wanted to create a safer environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students started the Safe Space program the same year.
The program showed two short videos about coming out, according to the Safe Space program.
It defined terms such as "queer," "gender expression" and "transgender."
National, state and local laws and policies regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues were provided.
More than 500 people have been trained at the University since the program started.
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