Scholarship will reward gay-friendly students

Students who make Georgia College & State University a more accepting place for gays and lesbians will be rewarded with a new scholarship, thanks to Safe Space members.

A scholarship is being planned to recognize students who best demonstrate a willingness to help make a welcoming environment for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students, faculty and staff on campus.

“It’s a matter of equality and fairness to everyone,” said Dean of Liberal Arts & Sciences Beth Rushing. “I think this scholarship helps recognize the hard work that people put in and the risks that it involves.”

Sexual orientation will not be a factor in the selection of the scholarship recipient. Eligibility will be determined by work ethic and dedication to the Safe Space mission at GC&SU. For that reason, freshmen will most likely not be eligible for the scholarship.

The idea first came from Assistant Director of Counseling Services Mary J. Phillips, who heard of a similar scholarship offered at Kennesaw State University.

“So I thought, ‘well that’s pretty neat,’” Phillips said. “I’ll bet our people would be interested in knowing about that.”

Phillips posted a message on the GC&SU’s list serve. The first person to offer money for the scholarship at GC&SU was Deputy Director of Public Safety Richard Goodson.

“It just unleashed the flood gates,” said Phillips.

In a little less than 24 hours, Safe Space had raised $1,500. “It was pure grassroots,” Phillips said.

Goodson, who said he is in favor of promoting diversity on campus, noted the importance of the “safety of students in regard to their sexual orientation” as one factor in his participation.

Among others donating money was Rushing, who offered $500 if others would match it.

“I am really passionate about this,” said Rushing. “I think it is so important.”

The money so far has come from faculty, staff and students, none of which was solicited. Some people have even offered to give monthly through payroll deduction.

According Phillips, the scholarship is still in the early stages of development.

“The initial plan is to come up with a group of faculty, staff and students who will develop the criteria,” Phillips said.

One of the tasks set for the group will be deciding exactly how the money raised will be spent.

“I’m not sure how much will go to building an endowment so we can do this every year and how much should go directly to a student,” Phillips said. “They might decide to build it up until we can offer this continually.”

To build an endowment, the group must first raise the necessary $10,000. Once the funds are raised, the interest from the money will be given out annually in the form of the scholarship.

The group currently has specific pledges of $2,000 and expects much more as the scholarship becomes more public. As more money is raised, however, some involved in Safe Space expect a little opposition.

“I know there will be people who just don’t like the idea at all,” said Rushing. “I’m sure it makes some people feel very uncomfortable and wish that we didn’t do such things on our campus, but a lot of people feel more comfortable as a result of having Safe Space.”

Safe Space was started at GC&SU in 2003 and had its first three training sessions last semester.

Once training is complete, members receive a brightly colored sticker that can be placed on office doors, notebooks or book bags. Those stickers let others know they can talk in a “safe space” with that person. So far, 75 students, faculty and staff have completed the training.

“I’ve had faculty members tell me that Safe Space is very important to them,” Rushing said. “That it made them feel like this was the kind of institution where they wanted to work and felt like they’d be welcomed.”

Another important aspect of Safe Space is its correlation to GC&SU’s liberal arts goals.

“I certainly think it is consistent with our Liberal Arts mission,” Phillips said. “That says nothing about the benefit for the majority of students who are not gay or lesbian, but who are now in an environment where they have to understand that art and diversity are supported and promoted.”

Upcoming for Safe Space will be for Resident Assistants in March. Like all other sessions, this will be completely voluntary.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Jan 28 2005. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry