Special Update: Statement from President Delaney & Events Next Week

Wed Oct 6 13:14:58 EDT 2010

Please take a look at this special Weekly Update including a statement from UNF President John Delaney sent to all students, faculty and staff this morning. You are also invited to join us next week for Coming Out Week events, including a recently added Candlelight Vigil to remember the youth who have passed away (flyers attached). The vigil is open to the public. Thank you for all of your support.

Ryan Miller
Coordinator of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center

CampusUpdate
University of North Florida

*        Message from the President

*        Meeting to Discuss Recent Gay Youth Suicides

*        Coming Out Week

Message from the President

Over the past several weeks, a string of suicides by gay youth, including two college students, has impacted many communities around the nation. The circumstances of these and other suicides have also called attention to the devastating consequences of online bullying. My sympathies are with the many family members, friends and community members affected by these tragedies.

In the wake of these suicides, I would like us to pause and reflect on the University of North Florida's core values, including those of diversity, mutual respect and civility, and ethical conduct. In living up to these values, all students, faculty and staff must feel safe and free to express who they are. Discrimination, prejudice and harassment in any form prevent us from fulfilling the University's mission and don't belong on this or any other college campus.

If you are affected by harassment or discrimination, or know someone on campus who is affected, I urge you to contact Equal Opportunity Programs, located in Daniel Hall, Building 1, or call ext. 2507, and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center, located in the Student Union, Building 58E, or call ext. 4720. The Counseling Center, located in Founders Hall, Building 2, is also available to students in need of support. Counseling Center staff can be reached at ext. 2602. If you know of anyone exhibiting any indication that they may be a danger to themselves or others, please contact the Supporting Our Students Committee at ext. 2600 or the University Police Department at ext. 2800.

Members of the campus community are invited to attend a candlelight vigil to remember the youth who have passed away, starting at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, at the Gandhi statue located between Daniel Hall, Building 1, and Founders Hall, Building 2. After gathering, the group will then move to the Student Union Osprey Plaza for the rest of the vigil. For more information on the vigil, contact the LGBT Resource Center at ext. 4720.

Meeting to Discuss Recent Gay Youth Suicides

Members of the campus community are invited to attend a special meeting of the Commission on Diversity's Subcommittee on LGBT Equity at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct.12 in the Student Union, Building 58W, Room 3605. This meeting will address the recent suicides of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth around the country and discuss efforts at UNF to support all students, faculty and staff. R.S.V.P. to mailto:unflgbt at unf.edu if you plan to attend. For more information, contact Ryan Miller at ext. 2939.

Coming Out Week

UNF's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Resource Center will host Coming Out Week on campus, Monday, Oct. 11, through Friday, Oct. 15. Show your pride and learn about the lesbian, bisexual, transgender and ally communities all week long.

Here are the Coming Out Week events:

*        Coming Out Day: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11, on the Student Union Osprey Plaza-Come and support those who are coming out.

*        Student Leadership & Activism: 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, in the Student Union, Building 58W, Room 3606-Living with Pride discussion series, student leadership and activism panel. Open to the public.

*        Free, Anonymous HIV Testing: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13, in the LGBT Resource Center, Student Union, Building 58E, Room 1111-Know your status and get tested. Open to UNF students, faculty and staff only.

*        "Queer Works" Photography Exhibit: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, in the Lufrano Intercultural Gallery, Student Union, Building 59W, Room 2300-View anne Goldbauer's photography of local LGBT groups. Open to the public.

*        State of the LGBT Movement: 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, in the Student Union, Building 58W, Room 3703-Hear from Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force. Open to the public.

For more information about Coming Out Week, contact Natalie Nguyen, LGBT Resource Center, at ext. 5197 or e-mail mailto:unflgbt at unf.edu.

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