10/24 Open Meeting about Tolerance Issues

[sead43]

A recent e-mail from the president's office:

October 22, 2007

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

Following the University's recent announcement that a second assault accompanied by homophobic insults has been reported within our campus community, I again write to emphasize that there is no place for such discrimination at Georgetown.

Because of the seriousness of this issue and the importance of working collaboratively to prevent and address intolerance and discrimination, I invite you to join me at an open meeting in the auditorium of the Bunn Intercultural Center on Wednesday, October 24th at 6 p.m. to discuss our efforts to create an inclusive and supportive context for all of members of our community.

I look forward to a productive dialogue and exchange of ideas that will help us shape our work moving forward to sustain a respectful campus community.

Thank you.

John J. DeGioia
President
Georgetown University

Any reports from people who were there?? I've heard from one attendee so far, and apparently the ICC Auditorium was standing-room-only (300+ people)...

[saxacalhoya]

There is some information on the IDEAA website about the initiative he announced tonight:

ideaa.georgetown.edu/lgbtq/

Initiative on LGBTQ Student Resources

Georgetown University's President John J. DeGioia announced steps to strengthen the climate and resources for LGBTQ students at Georgetown University in an open meeting on campus on October 24, 2007. The initiative consists of three working groups that will be coordinated by Vice President for Institutional Diversity and Equity Rosemary Kilkenny and Vice President for Public Affairs and Strategic Development Daniel R. Porterfield. They will bring recommendations from the working groups to Provost James J. O'Donnell and President DeGioia by the end of the Fall 2008 semester, for consideration and possible implementation over the course of the 2007-2008 academic year.

The page has information on the three working groups and also links to President DeGioia's remarks from the meeting. Here's a link for that:

president.georgetown.edu/speeches/jjd10242007.html

[strummer8526]

I wonder how some members of the gay community will construe this as being unfair or unresponsive. It seems like from what I've heard and read, there are some people who just won't be happy unless DeGioia personally hunts down the kids who committed the assaults, kills them, and serves them for a special LGBTQ dinner in Riggs.

[TigerHoya]

dcist.com/2007/10/25/georgetown_to_g.php

[sead43]

coverage:

www.thehoya.com/news/102607/news1.cfm

www.georgetownvoice.com/2007-10-25/news/degioia-agrees-to-pride-demands

editorials:

www.thehoya.com/viewpoint/102607/view1.cfm

www.georgetownvoice.com/2007-10-25/editorial/making-georgetown-proud-finally

[The Stig]

DeGioia's moves are ertainly a big step in the right direction. Just listening to GUPride and the LBGTQ community and taking steps to address their cocerns is a very welcome step forward. Yes it's unfortunate that these steps only came after alleged hate crimes were committed, but it's good to see the administration responding in a positive, forward-thinking manner.

It's not okay to hate at Georgetown (unless you're hating Syracuse).