Campus harassment stats documented
CHARLOTTE — Campus Pride in September released a report saying that LGBT university employees and students in significant numbers have experienced harassment and lack of safety, inclusiveness in policies, as well as programs and practices during their time at school. The figures were derived from 5,150 people from nearly 100 nationwide educational centers. Results in this first-ever chronicled report say to a “chilly” campus climate, as compared to 12 percent of straight people.
Written by Campus Pride’s Q Research Institute for Higher Education and with a foreword by George Kuh, Ph.D., The 2010 State of Higher Education for LGBT People is a call to action for college and university administrators, educators, student leaders and elected officials. For more information, visit campuspride.org.
Proud as punch
CHAPEL HILL — Tom Greene, a government and economics teacher at Chapel Hill High School, has started a network for LGBT educators, the Proud Apple Social Club (PASC). He felt that there was no arena for LGBT teachers to talk and meet. The club begun after last year’s N.C. Pride when he met with other teachers.
The networking made available by this organization has become a valuable tool for those who join and gives its teachers an outlet for expression in a safe environment. They meet the first Thursday or Friday of each month at 7 p.m. at The Station in Carrboro.
His goal is to ensure that there is acceptance within the school’s environment, be it for students or teachers.
Greene is a government and economics teacher. He has spoken to his school’s Queer Straight Alliance, as well.
In some cases, out teachers do not get good reception by their colleagues. The hope of the PASC is to help change the impression of those within the academia — staff, students and parents, alike.
Both The Chapel Hill News and The Durham News have written extensively about Greene’s club.
For more information, email tomgreene23@gmail.com or visit the group’s Facebook page at facebook.com.
Solving problems key role
GREENSBORO — Guilford College’s Center for Principled Problem Solving is gearing up for a new initiative.
Their newest work is the Sexual Diversity Project which grew out of a 2010 summer course, Gay, Lesbian, Queer Studies.
As reported in The Guilfordian, the Center helps to strengthen and further develop a strong theme already present in the Guilford curriculum,” says Kim Yarbray, the schools project communication manager.
Yarbry continued saying that the project will “work to engage the community in shame-free public dialogue” with regard to shame and embarrassment.
The project is seeking involvement from the community.
For more information, call Mark Justad, director, at 336-316-2853, email justadmj@ guilford.edu or visit guilford.edu/academics/CPPS.
Repub students on probation
DURHAM — On Sept.15, Duke University’s Student Government Senate placed the school’s Duke College Republicans (DCR) on “disciplinary probation,” while it investigates the harassment of it’s former president, Justin Robinette, who was impeached from the DCR because he was outed.
The Duke Chronicle said that the Senate action “neither confirms nor denies accusations of misconduct.” They voted to defund the club and also took steps toward de-chartering it.
Email evidence with derogatory remarks was presented to show just cause.
The university has a non-discriminatory policy. The defunding comes as a result of the evidence of harassment exhibited toward Robinette and his supporters.
For more information, visit dukechronicle.com or dsg.dukegroups.duke.edu/senate- sessions.