Thursday, March 5, 2009

No LGBTQ Position @ UC

From Michael Chanak...
The University of Cincinnati is committed to diversity and continues to make it a more integral part of the university experience. Recent modifications to the university mission statement and the non-discrimination policy, in part, speak to this commitment.

I have consulted with the chair of the Diversity Council, Dean Louis D. Bilionis, on this matter. Current efforts to secure "permanent" space for LGBTQ students have been successful. Room 671 in the Steger Student Life Center has been designated for this purpose. However, the dire budget situation has resulted in plans to cut several employees. Thus, we are not in a position, at this time, to provide funds for a full-time LGBTQ staff person. In the interim, current funds that support the part-time LGBTQ coordinator position have been protected to ensure that current levels of service continue to be provided.

Mitchel D. Livingston
Vice President for Student Affairs & Chief Diversity Officer
This came through on February 27th.

A little good news, a little bad. There's been a big fight to get this at UC, so it's a bit of disappointment to hear that there won't be a position over there. I know the last grad assistant ran out the door... sort of ... in a semi-huff over possible homophobia by the administration.

Yea...

2 comments:

Michael Chanak Jr said...

You know, I really need to get Dr. John Maddux - who works at UC - to read your blog. I'll work on that.

I never attended UC since my "formative years" were spent in lovely NE Ohio.

Please stand by...

Anonymous said...

Yeh, I was waiting to hear back from Mitch Livingston so would know exactly what the hell he was talking about. And he doesn't get back to us very quickly. But thanks for posting and getting the word out!