BILL #: SEN-23-2018

 

TITLE: A Bill to Establish a LGBTQIA+ Living and Learning Community

 

SPONSORS:

 

Alayna Cameron, Off Campus Senator

(acamer11@vols.utk.edu)

Kara Ware, Senator At-Large

(Kware5@vols.utk.edu)

Vanna Dodson, Arts and Sciences Senator

(sdodso10@vols.utk.edu)

Katie Gouge, Arts and Sciences Senator

(Kgouge3@vols.utk.edu)

Joseph Staton, Senator At-Large

(jstaton4@vols.utk.edu)

Mackenzie Hobbs, Off Campus Senator

(mhobbs10@vols.utk.edu)

Jude Cypher, Business Senator

(jcypher@vols.utk.edu)

Tré Patten, Off Campus Senator

(tpatten1@vols.utk.edu)

 

DATE: November 20, 2018

 

Whereas, the University of Tennessee is currently ranked the third most unfriendly campus for LGBTQIA+ students, and

 

Whereas, transgender and nonbinary students are currently being assigned to dorm rooms as per their sexual assignment at birth, and

 

Whereas, university life can be significantly more difficult for LGBTQIA+ students, and

 

Whereas, in a comprehensive university study from Campus Pride, “33 percent of LGB and 38 percent of transgender people surveyed said they seriously considered leaving their institution due to the challenging climate and the lack of on-campus support,” and

 

Whereas, incoming freshman LGBTQIA+ students could greatly benefit from living in a community where they know their identity is affirmed, and

 

Whereas, the University of Richmond, Kent State University, and the University of Louisville already have established LGBTQIA+ Living and Learning Communities, and

 

Be it hereby resolved, that the 2018-2019 Undergraduate Student Senate urges UT Housing to designate a section of residence hall for a Living and Learning Community for LGBTQIA+ students, and

 

Be it hereby resolved, that the 2018-2019 Undergraduate Student Senate urges UT Housing to create a council of students predominantly from the LGBTQIA+ community for consultation as to how to develop this Living and Learning Community.

 

Sources:

 

http://www.insightintodiversity.com/the-path-forward-lgbt-retention-and-academic-success/

 

https://news.richmond.edu/features/article/-/10532/living-learning-lgbtq–ally-living-learning-community-gives-residents-a-place-to-call-home.html?sma=sm.00001cu1f7c8xdf9ezyhn0r4ddhcc

 

https://www.kent.edu/housing/lgbtqa-living-learning-community

 

http://louisville.edu/lgbt/programs-1/bayard-rustin-lgbt-and-social-justice-themed-living-community-1