The LGBTQIA+ Working Group fosters a community at Rhodes College that promotes belonging, empowerment, and growth for people of all genders and sexualities through advocacy and community building.
In Fall 2010, the LGBTQIA+ Working Group was convened as an ad hoc committee of faculty, students, and staff under the direction of Dean of Faculty Michael Drompp and Dean of Students Carol Casey. The Group was charged with assessing the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQIA+) supportiveness of the College's policies, environment, and programming.
In its initial discussions, members of this group identified two major concerns:
- The extent to which LGBTQIA+ students are truly welcomed and supported at the College, and the cultural, ethical, educational, and retention related consequences if those students are not (or do not feel) welcomed and supported; and
- Support for LGBTQIA+ faculty and staff
After the assessment, the group began facilitating change in the identified areas of concern to improve the quality of life for LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, and staff in the Rhodes community. The working group continues to meet as the umbrella LGBTQIA+ organization on campus and remains committed to its initial mission: continuous assessment of the College’s LGBTQIA+ policies and environment to ensure that Rhodes College offers the broadest possible inclusivity, in keeping with its values and vision.
The LGBTQIA+ Working Group Mission Statement:
"The LGBTQIA+ Working Group fosters a community at Rhodes College that promotes belonging, empowerment, and growth for people of all genders and sexualities through advocacy and community building.”
Community. Belonging. Empowerment. Growth. Advocacy. All genders. All sexualities.