The LGBTQ Resource Center seeks to increase its visibility on campus to help students understand available resources and to combat negative representation in the media by creating a positive spirit of unity on campus, said Kelly Garrett, the center's coordinator, at the Undergraduate Council of Students' general body meeting Wednesday night.
Continued media coverage of heated political debates over gay equality can paint a negative picture about the general attitude toward LGBTQ people across the nation, Garrett said. These negative depictions can add up and cause "LGBTQs struggling with their sexuality to feel bad about themselves," she added. Many students also fear to come out because their home communities may be hostile to homosexuality.
On campus, Garrett said homophobic sentiment is limited compared to the rest of the nation, but "we're not immune" to incidents such as anti-gay graffiti.
Garrett said students can play a role in improving the positive atmosphere on campus by supporting the Safe Zone program, a program sponsored by the center designed to increase awareness on campus in part by displaying a sticker showing solidarity with the LGBTQ community.
Garrett said she is "trying to find a way for the average student at Brown to become a better ally."
The center will continue to hold pride events this semester and through next semester designed to continue awareness. On Nov. 18, there will be a vigil on the steps of the Faunce House followed by a spoken word performance in Rites and Reasons Theatre.
"The more visible and supportive people are, the more it will counteract negative images," Garrett said.
Undergraduate Finance Board representative and Herald sales director Kelly Wess '11 also spoke to the council about the Capital Closets project, which is still in its planning stages. Through the project, UFB would invest capital in purchasing media aids such as microphones, speakers and projectors in order to minimize costs to UFB over the long run.
Media Services charges the finance board each time Category III groups are provided media for an event free of charge. Overall, Wess said UFB would save money by investing capital initially because it would cost UFB less over time if they could rent out equipment they bought. This mechanism would "free up costs" for other student group requests.
Some UCS members had reservations about the idea. Holly Hunt '13 said she thought it would be more helpful to negotiate costs with Media Services.
The Student Activities Committee also announced that it is working to create a endowment for student activities that would guarantee future funding for these groups, said committee chair Ralanda Nelson '12. The committee is coordinating with the Office of Advancement to move the project forward and planning to meet with 10 possible donors interested in contributing to a fund next semester.
The Administrative and Students Services Committee will conduct its first audit of Bigelow Gym in Keeney Quadrange Thursday, committee chair Chris Collins '11 said.
