The committee discussed a list of action items to pursue in the coming year. In part, the action items are based on last month's meeting with Vice Provost for Diversity Damon Williams. A key item, as identified by the committee, is to take another run at an MIU proposal for LBGTQ Faculty Line/Certificate support. The current academic certificate offered for LGBTQ Studies does not have a full, dedicated faculty position. Therefore, faculty teaching classes as part of this certificate program must accommodate it either by the approval of their home departments or through an overload situation. Either way, this is not a good situation in terms of maintaining the certificate program's viability. It is expected that there will be a third round for MIU proposals sometime this calendar year.
The committee chairman reported that Vice Provost for Diversity Williams has now agreed to field the inclusivity survey that has been conducted on many other UW System campuses. This is a positive step in identifying issues of tolerance, inclusivity, and attitudes toward race, gender, sexual identity/orientation and other related issues.
The LGBT Issues committee expects to be included in meetings during the final round of reviews in the search for a new Director of Admissions.
Student groups are continuing to work with University Housing to develop a plan for gender inclusive housing that would allow for roommate situations to be based on gender identity.
Former LGBTQ Campus Center Director Eric Trekel has moved into a temporary position in the Dean Of Students' office and will likely be leaving UW at the end of the semester. Robin Sereno is now serving as acting director of the center.
The LGBT Issues Committee will hold a joint meeting with the University Committee on Women's Issues on May 12th.
LGBT Issues Committee chairman Thomas Armbrecht will be teaching n France for the Fall 2010 semester, and will then be on sabbatical for the Spring 2011 semester. For this reason, the committee is now looking for a new chairperson to take over for Professor Armbrecht at the end of this semester.
--Dave Wilcox, graduate student representative to the LGBT Issues Committee
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