Creating a better campus climate

Creating a campus climate in which every student is valued and accepted is a goal we are always striving to attain. No one questions the resolve necessary to untwist attitudes that marginalize others and compromise their wellbeing. Likewise, behaviors that hurt others by making them feel unwanted and unsafe have no place in the learning environment we seek here at UIS. In November, I invited Dr. Ronni Sanlo to visit UIS to examine campus issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity/expression and to offer suggestions for practice. She is the director of the UCLA Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Campus Resource Center. After hearing the concerns and thoughts of many UIS faculty, staff, students and administrators, Dr. Sanlo concluded that "the issues are evident" but "not at all irresolvable." "With much open communication and a certain amount of mediation, I have no doubt that everyone will soon be on the same page," she said. In response to recommendations in the final report that Dr. Sanlo submitted to me, I have asked Provost Harry Berman, Vice Chancellor Chris Miller and Professors Karen Kirkendall and Pat Langley to work on an action plan for the campus. You may read the final report at http://www.uis.edu/chancellor/lgbt.html