by Elizabeth Ashford
Staff Writer
Part I of the Campus Climate Survey has been released, focusing
on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues.
“Twenty-five percent of students and 13 percent of faculty/staff
said that they often or constantly hear students make negative or
disparaging remarks about gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender
persons,” (GBLT) according to the survey.
“For the most part, ASU is an open and welcoming environment.
However, I feel there still exists a separation between the straight
and queer communities,” Bisexuals, Gays, Lesbians, and Allies
Associated for Diversity member Terrell L. Gould, said. “We
need, here at Appalachian and abroad, to work towards developing
that understanding and the general respect for humanity that comes
with it. Then, I think, things will begin to improve for everyone.”
According to the survey, GLBT students are less confident than heterosexual
students in Appalachian’s ability to respond to cases of harassment.
“We want to create a climate regardless of race, ethnicity
or sexual orientation that will show that we all value everybody,”
Associate Vice Chancellor for Diversity Dr. Harry L. Williams said.
“That climate is definitely here on this campus. There may
be pockets within the community that I’m totally unaware of,
but we value everybody on this campus,” he said.
The survey said that 34.3 percent of GLBT students felt uncomfortable
living in a traditional residence hall, but BGLAAD President Teressa
G. Cameron said she has never had a problem.
“I’ve found that Appalachian is a very accepting campus
when it comes to people of different sexual orientation,”
Cameron said.
The survey allowed students to answer open-ended questions. One
respondent wrote that he/she felt the school should sponsor support
services for GLBT students. Another wrote that he/she felt that
in the past several years, people had started to cater to homosexuals
and that was pushing the envelope too far.
“I feel that homosexuals should be treated the same as any
other minority. They shouldn’t be catered to or discriminated
against. They are equal like everyone else. Coming from a Christian
viewpoint, I don’t agree with their lifestyle but I’m
not perfect either,” sophomore Elise N. Miller said.
“I think that more faculty should invite those groups in to
speak to their classes on a more regular basis to let it be known
that these organizations exist and then maybe issues would come
up in the classroom,” Dr. Katrina Seitz, of the department
of sociology and social work, said.
“Students, faculty and staff expressed a wide range of views
concerning GLBT issues,” according to the survey.
“As a Christian, I – in no way – believe that
homosexuality is moral, but I do believe that condemning those who
choose this lifestyle is wrong,” Jill S. Stephens said. “On
the issue of whether or not they should be treated differently at
[Appalachian State], I feel they should receive no other benefits
than any other person,” Stephens said.
“I think that issues have come to light more but there is
still a lot of resistance to appreciation and acceptance of the
lifestyle,” Assistant Director of Center for Student Involvement
and Leadership Anwar Cruter said.
Cruter said that people don’t have to agree with someone else’s
lifestyle but they should learn to tolerate and accept people who
are different.
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