President Bill Chace appeared at the Sept. 24 President’s Commission on LGBT meeting, and encouraged the commission to continue its important work.

The meeting, held in 400 Administration, was the commission’s first of the academic year.
Asking the commission to keep him appraised of its work, Chace encouraged LGBT to remain “forward-thinking” in its efforts.

Saralyn Chesnut, ex officio member of the commission and director of the Office of LGBT Life, spoke about the creation of the commission and its role on campus. She also mentioned avenues of coordination between the two organizations, one of them being an upcoming band party sponsored by her office. She suggested the commission cosponsor the event.

It was announced the Oxford College has created a quarter-time position in its residence life office to act as a liaison between the two campuses on LGBT issues and as an advocate for the Oxford LGBT population. It was suggested that the commission lobby for the position to be increased to half-time.

Coordinating efforts with other campus LGBT organizations has been an ongoing issue with the commission. Chair Kathy McKee tasked the outreach committee with contacting other groups, learning about their activities and exploring ways to tighten relationships.
That effort lead off the commission’s discussion of new business. Other efforts included exploring the application of the principles of the PCSW/Human Resources mentoring program for women employees to Emory’s LGBT population.

McKee also mentioned ideas regarding the creation of a committee to investigate an LGBT studies academic program on campus and staff training regarding harassment of LGBT persons.

Finally, the commission funded two spaces at the upcoming National Coalition Building Institute “Train-the-Trainer” workshop, “Welcoming Diversity and Conflict Resolution,” Nov. 1–3.

The next LGBT meeting will be Oct. 22 at 5:30 p.m. in 400 Administration.

If you have a question or comment for LGBT, send e-mail to Kathy McKee at kmckee@emory.edu.