Date: Sat, 13 Jul 1996 23:12:18 -0500 (CDT) From: community Subject: TENNESSEE CAMPUS CAMPAIGN update %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Uniform Equality Committee Equality Is Civility ============================================================================ In This Update: * Department of Radio-TV Joins in Support * Graduate Studies adopts inclusive Bill of Rights * MTSU President Walker takes proactive measures * LAMBDA infoline receives sexually harassing message * LAMBDA to send 8 members to HRC Chicago Convention --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Uniform Equality Committee (UEC) was formed over a year ago on June 13, 1995 to ensure equality for students, faculty, and staff of Middle Tennessee State University without regard to sexual orientation. Within the one year of actions on the campus of MTSU, the UEC has sucessfully lobbied the Tennessee Board of Regents which determined the decision to enhance campus policies with regard to equality would rest with each respective campus president. This began a statewide civil rights campaign on more than four campuses. Demonstrations of support occured at the University of Memphis and death threats were issued by self-proclaimed Aryan Nation members to a student leader at East Tennessee State University. The campaign to educate campus communities on gay and lesbian issues are reaffirmed by those participating and strengthened by a growing coalition of groups and individuals who understand the value of protecting the essential American vision of inclusion. For more information about this project, visit the UEC website at http://www.mtsu.edu/~mtlambda/uec.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF RADIO/TV Joins in support of UEC ============================================== On April 29, the Department of Radio and TV in the College of Mass Communications became the eigth campus department to voice support for the UEC resolution to enhance the campus non-discrimination policy to address sexual orientation bias. The Department joins a growing list of more than 20 campus based organizations, programs, and departments in supporting the equal protection of the MTSU Family without regard to sexual orientation. GRADUATE STUDIES COUNCIL Adopts inclusive Bill of Rights ======================================================== On April 29, the Graduate Studies Council adopted an updated version of the Graduate Student Bill of Rights and included within a nondiscrimination clause the right of students to advantage of the academic environment at MTSU without fear of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The Council is one of 3 on campus voicing such a concern as the UEC continues with its efforts to bring these issues to light. The statement will appear in the new Graduate Student Handbook and Catalogue. MTSU PRESIDENT WALKER Takes proactive measure ============================================= In response to a July 1 memo from UEC Chair Michael Grantham, President Walker has turned the issue of policy enhancement over to the University Rules Committee. The action follows a request to the University to take a more proactive stance on the issue and to reaffirm its own position on the current MTSU Statement of Mission. The same measure had occured at the University of Memphis and resulted in a recommendation to their President to adopt a policy addressing sexual orientation bias. Student Government Association President Christin Baker has filled the student positions of this committee with two undergraduates, Phil Coleman and Tinisha Buttry. The appointments to the 1996-97 committee will represent the campus's diversity and hopes to progress with the issue in a fair manner. LAMBDA INFOLINE Recieves sexually harassing message =================================================== On July 2, the LAMBDA Infoline recieved a sexually harassing message. The incident was reported to Sergeant Watson of the MTSU Police Department and a statement was taken from Lambda Association President Devon Wlodyga. Reporting such incidents are important in attesting to the campus climate and to show trends in hate crimes over periods of time. Since the UEC became active, three death threats were reported to the campus police with 5 individuals caught in one incident. With documented cases presented in reports on campus climate, it becomes difficult to deny accounts of fear felt by students under policies offering no recourse to actions of sexual orientation bias. Coincidentally, those caught in reference to a death threat are still students at MTSU and served a few hours one weekend of community service. LAMBDA flyers continue to be torn down off campus bulletin boards. During two day sessions of New Student Orientation, about 50 flyers are posted around the campus. These stay up the entire first day. By the next day, between three and four would be all that remain. LAMBDA officials are documenting the cases and simply moving foward by replacing the flyers for each New Student Orientation session. LAMBDA esstimates the group's membership will increase by 20% - 30% in the Fall. Programming efforts are currently underway to provide for a growing and empowered group. LAMBDA TO Send 8 members to HRC covention in Chicago ==================================================== The Student Government Activity Fee Committee awarded LAMBDA Association funds to send 8 members to the two day OUTVOTE '96 in Chicago on August 16-17. The political convention, in conjunction with the US Presidential elections, is a first of its kind offering workshops, lectures, and rally of gay and lesbian voters. The convention is expected to give momentum to such efforts as taken by MTSU's UEC and to enlighten the political conciousness of gay and lesbian Americans. LAMBDA hopes to bring some of the energy back from the convention and invest it into local efforts to continue developing the group's sense of civic duty. ---END---