GLBT Center Internal Program Report 2010

Authors

Joseph A. Santiago, University of Rhode IslandFollow
Morgan Cottrell, University of Rhode Island
Andrew Winters, University of Rhode Island

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

5-26-2010

Abstract

This is the minutes from a GLBT Center Staff meeting assessing the programs and services of 2009/2010 academic year. GLBT Center Internal Report 2010; Programs:  Conversation groups bi-weekly  On-going film series bi-monthly  Symposium with ? number of programs  Symposium programs in collaboration with Hillel, and GSA  Collaboration with South County PFLAG at RI Pride  RA training session  Orientation booth  Welcome night booth  Welcome week booth  South County PFLAG monthly meetings  Center Welcome party  Halloween Celebration  End of the year dinner  Regular and varied social events  Game Nights  Trans vigil in collaboration with GSA  Welcome Wednesday monthly meeting  Marriage equality rally  Proposition 8 rally  Women’s LGBT Group formed in Collaboration with Women’s Center  Rhode Island Community Learning Network (RICLN)  Provincetown overnight trip  Gay Bingo, monthly  Networking with NE higher education settings that also offer GLBT services  Contingency at March on Washington  Student representatives at the Legislative hearing on a Marriage Equality bill  Center open 24/7; Professional in service staff development for career services and community organizations  Multiple residence hall programs in the form of trainings, and discussion groups  Early and consistent contributions to the formation of the Stop the Hate Rally, and the Student Leadership Retreat  Assisted in the formation of I Am U-URI  GSA and Center participated in a student protest at the President’s inauguration as a statement against Pastor Boyd, the inaugural speaker; Successes:  Networking with other NE Higher Education Institutions with GLBT Services  A large presence at the Student Leadership Conference  A large contingency of GLBT center affiliated student in the new student advisory committee to the president, I Am U-URI Unity in Difference.  Wide spread support of LGBT concerns from student leaders in I Am U-Unity in Difference  Tripled student attendance at programs  Increased student staff positions  Increased number of student volunteers  Assisted in the creation of a new GSA  Brought faculty and staff from the various areas of campus to be involved in Welcome Project  Symposium which attracts URI faculty, staff, students, and community members regionally  Expansion of programs offered  Increased visibility  Increased awareness of an appreciation for GLBT community and campus issues Issues:; Issues:  Overwhelming consensus that the space and resources currently associated with the Center are inadequate. The Center should be relocated to a place more centralized on campus affording visibility, easy access, with some living accommodations for staff and students. This plan to relocate the center was included in the last and current five year plan for the university.  Though there is improvement in visibility there is still considerable room for improvement in regard to campus climate. Incidents of name calling, and harassment are still shared at the center with regularity. Concerns about difficulty connected to being out, and/or making reports are also voiced frequently by students. There is a strong feeling of absence of LGBT staff, faculty, and administration on campus.  All issues expressed in the I Am U-Unity in Difference report are still relevant.  Current and projected funding for the GLBT Center is substantially inadequate relative to needs.  Gender neutral housing available to all students, including freshman.  Concerns exist that fraternities and sororities are not universally open to LGBT students.  Students at the center often express concerns about heterosexual assumptions and intimidation in classroom and throughout campus in regard to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.; While the leadership qualities of Center staff, and GSA officers have been quite noteworthy, and extremely helpful additional opportunities for LGBTIQQ leadership and community development should be supported by the university.  It’s important to acknowledge that national discriminatory policies such as blood drive restrictions, workplace discrimination, marriage equality have a very real negative impact on LGBTIQQ students, faculty and staff.