Resolution Supporting the Creation of a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies Program at HSU

Adopted October 21, 2002

Whereas: Diversity in education is not only limited to different ethnicities and cultures
but also includes gender and sexual orientation; and

Whereas: All oppressions are interconnected, and through Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
and Transgender (LGBT) issues, we will also be looking at other oppressive
forces, such as sexism, racism, classism, ageism, etc.; and,

Whereas: HSU is responsible for countering discriminatory attitudes through an
educational curriculum that offers an opportunity to discuss, dismantle,
and deconstruct oppression in its many forms; and,

Whereas: A LGBT Studies Program will increase dialogue and community among
our students, faculty, staff, and administration at HSU. Attached are letters
and petitions showing the existing fevor for such action to take place; and,

Whereas: Our educational institution should provide students with a medium for
analysis, inquiry, and critique that reflects the many diversities within our
student population and larger community; and,

Whereas: A LGBT Studies Program would provide additional opportunities to meet
HSU's obligation to provide educational programs to combate hate. Cal. Ed.
Code 66252 B states "California's postsecondary educational institutions
have an affirmative obligation to combat racism, sexism, and other forms of
bias, and a responsibility to provide equal educational opportunity;" and,

Whereas: An evident desire for a LGBT Studies Program has been expressed by
potential and current students, faculty, and staff of HSU; and

Whereas: Hate-crimes are a reality in the US, California, Arcata and on campus at
HSU, and often go unreported or ignored. A LGBT Studies Program would
help create a safer community for queer students, thus hopefully reducing the number of violent, dangerous and possibly deadly hate-crimes in the future; and therefore be it,

Resolved: That we, as the Associated Students of HSU, feel it is time for our institution
to join leading California State Universities such as San Francisco, Long
Beach, Los Angeles, and San Jose, in the movement toward increasing
diversity in higher education and create a LGBT Program; be it further,

Resolved: This resolution shall be sent to, but not limited to, US President Bush; HSU
President Richmond; Vice President of Student Affairs, Steven Butler; Vice
President of Academic Affairs; the University Curriculum Committee; Dawn
Hill, and the Office of Diversity and Compliance; the Academic Senate; all
College Deans; all department heads; the Multi-Cultural Center; and the Queer
Student Union.

A

uthored by: Julie Gallegos and James Showalter-Garcia

________________________________ ______________________________
Amy Muslin Kelley Kiesling
All University Representative AS Professional Studies Representative

_______________________________ ______________________________
Manuel Fonseca Gretchen Kinney
Legislative Vice President President

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