University LGBT Subcommittee of Equity & Diversity

MINUTES

VCU’S LGBT Subcommittee of the Equity & Diversity Committee Tuesday, May 17, 2011 12:00 - 1:00 PM Robertson Alumni House Conference Room

In Attendance: Donna Coghill, Jeff Wing, Dr. Steve Gottfredson, Lisa Webb, Rebecca Hurst, Dorothy Fillmore, Faith Wilkerson, Dvora Courtland

Agenda

1. Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the April 19, 2011 meeting were approved as submitted.

2. Campus Climate Index update (Dorothy/Jeff) The group has met with Dr. Warren, who will confirm final approval after meeting with Dr. Rao. Dr. Warren will then write a letter to authorize this index being utilized at VCU. She and Dr. Rao will decide after the index is complete if VCU will go public, Jamie Stillman will be our contact to Dr. Warren. Prospective faculty and students are using this index to determine status at a university. There was discussion about a “roadmap” regarding issues for us to address in the future.

LGBT Subcommittee members will be asked to help with several parts of this index. The goal is to know this index score by the end of the summer and have ready for fall 2011, as we are hoping to make results public.

3. Gender Identity & Its Expression (Dorothy Fillmore) Lisa Webb and Dorothy Fillmore met, however Mary Shelden and Queer-Action student representative weren’t able to attend. UR’s success seems due to the student drive; therefore we need to make sure this is student driven. We have the Power Point created by the UR students (some of which is based on our old documentation). There will be a round table discussion at the Network VA Symposium. Lisa is working on a flyer that includes resources.

An idea for OMSA for Pride month was discussed about doing a Brown Bag Lunch seminar regarding Gender Identity, for which all information will be needed by July to be included. A couple ideas were discussed such as: finding a book on this subject to recommend for summer reading and outreach to Queer-Action and gain more student involvement. (Summer Reading recommendations can be sent to Donna Coghill).

4. Network VA Symposium: June 18, 2011 @ VCU (Donna Coghill) The committee is in need of a Volunteer Coordinator, Dvora Courtland offered to help coordinate. We will need of someone to work with Dvora on the front end who addresses room assignments, registration table, keeping track of presenters, etc. Even if the coordinator cannot attend the symposium, their help would still be important to helping with pre-communication with other volunteers. Crystal at the welcome center might be able to offer graduate student ambassadors to help with greeting.

5. MCV Health Collective update (Lisa Webb) Lisa met with Amanda Dudak who is the incoming president for MCV Health Collective Student Group to discuss upcoming topics and speakers to clinical courses. They are looking for speakers that will address healthcare topics that cover LGBT topics. The goal is to have a heavy emphasis on Transgender included in the curriculum and scheduled into program. They are now officially registered as a student organization and will have table at the School of Medicine orientation in early August with the purpose to raise awareness of programs and group. The Welcome Back Ice cream Social will also be highlighted at this event.

6. PrideFest September 24, 2011 at Kanawha Plaza A chair for this event was needed and Faith Wilkerson volunteered to coordinate the event. If anyone would like to co-chair this event, please contact Faith.

The committee would like to partner with MCV HC, LGBT Subcommittee, OMSA, Alum Association, Queer Action (QA), Admissions, and VCU Athletics. It was noted that last year at this event the table was “boring” and ideas about how to jazz it up and make it more exciting were discussed. Including balloons & banners, highlight the Final 4 accomplishment for Men’s Basketball, hopefully this will encourage VCU athletics to become involved with the table as well as Rodney the Ram to make an appearance.

VCU giveaways such as VCU label water bottles to be used as an admissions outreach, LGBT friendly pens with “VCU has Pride” was another idea discussed.

Transportation for people who attend event, since parking is difficult in the city, was another important topic discussed. Steve Gottfredson will call Pam regarding possible VCU shuttle or Bottom and Back bus. Donna will email Gordon & Diane for meeting with the Alum Association.

7. Welcome Back Ice Cream Social September 1 or 8, Rodney’s in Shafer Court Lisa Webb and Faith Wilkerson volunteered to be event co-chairs.

Lisa Webb will send out invitations to Alumni, Board of Visitors, Queer-Action, Fan Free Clinic, Gay Community Center (GCCR), Triangle Players, OMSA, and Equality VA asking them to partner and cosponsor with the committee for this event. Resource tables will be set up with information about Safe Zone, EV, GCCR, RTP, Fan Free Clinic. Queer Action will help decorate. This year more than one ice cream scooper will be hired to move the line quicker. Jeff Wing will contact Pam Lepley about a photographer to capture shots of the day and students.

Thursday September 8, 2011 is preferred, however Jeff Wing will lock in date after checking with President Rao & Provost.

8. Other Old or New Business

a. Schedule Summer meeting schedule will keep meeting times and dates for June meeting in place and skip July, then meet back in August.

b. Burnside Watstein Award The co-chairs will meet with Chuck Klink regarding the merge of Burnside Watstein and Pacme.

c. VCU Greet Donna Coghill will email Jamie regarding VCU greet by President Rao and/or Dr. Warren – and/or Senator McEachin.

Reminders:

Next meeting: Tuesday, June 21, 2011, 12:00-1:00pm

LGBT Subcommittee Minutes 2010-2011  August 17: Donna Coghill  September 21: Maria Altonen  October 19: Donna Coghill  November 16: Cristina Ramirez  December 21: (this is a lunch gathering, no minutes necessary)  January 18: Jan Altman  February 15: Steve Gottfredson  March 15: Dvora Courtland  April 19: Lisa Webb  May 17: Amanda Garrity