If you are new to the UW – La Crosse community, I would like to extend a sincere and heartfelt welcome. This publication is an attempt to provide a handy and comprehensive piece on the resources available for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (GLBT) students. Since we are continually looking to ensure that our information is current and helpful, we welcome your feedback. Please feel free to contact me with your comments at miyamoto.mich@uwlax.edu. We will strive to improve this document with each printing.
In addition to soliciting your feedback, I am also asking for your help. As the Assistant Dean of Students, I am charged with a variety of tasks. One, in particular is that of investigating and adjudicating student misconduct. We often hear second and third hand accounts of alleged hate crimes and discriminatory behavior being perpetrated against GLBT students, but do not receive official reports or complaints. If you are ever a victim or a witness to a crime of this nature, please contact the Office of Student Life, 149 Graff Main Hall, (608) 785-8062. The mission and value statements in this document are not merely rhetoric. My pledge to you is to do all that we can to ensure that your experience at UW- La Crosse is free from threat, danger, and harassment.
Michael Miyamoto, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean of Students
Every member of the University community has the right to conduct his
or her academic and social life in an environment that is free from threat,
danger, harassment, or other disruption.
The purpose of this brochure is to provide
general information, lend support, and offer referrals to resources on
and off campus that can help make your experience at UW – La Crosse a positive
one.
If you believe that a student is responsible for discriminatory or harassing behavior, report the incident to the Office of Student Life (OSL). The staff will provide support, explain the instances in which disciplinary action can be taken, indicate whether your situation involves a violation of university rules, help you sort out alternative courses of action and direct you to additional resources. Information on the university rules governing student nonacademic misconduct can be found in Chapter UWS 17, located in the Eagle Eye portion of the UW-L homepage (http://www.uwlax.edu/StudentLife/uws17.html).
If you believe that an employee of the University
is responsible for discriminatory or harassing behavior, report the incident
to the Affirmative Action and Diversity Office. The Affirmative Action
officer will review the situation and your options with you, which may
include an investigation and recommendations to remedy the situation.
RESOURCES
The following resources are available for information, support, and involvement.
The Office of Student Life provides support,
explains the instances in which disciplinary action can be taken against
harassing behavior, indicates whether your situation involves a violation
of university rules, helps you sort out alternative courses of action,
and directs you to additional resources.
Affirmative Action and Diversity Office
235 Graff Main Hall
(608) 785-8541
http://www.uwlax.edu/AAOD
The Office of Affirmative Action and Diversity monitors UW System Policy on Equal Opportunities in Education, the UW-L Sexual Harassment Policy, and various policies protecting rights of all individuals. The office ensures that UW-L faculty, staff, and students are not denied the benefits of an education/employment due to his or her race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, or other protected status.
In addition, the Affirmative Action Office
receives and investigates student, faculty, and staff grievances alleging
any form of discriminatory treatment.
Counseling and Testing Center
1st Floor Wilder Hall
(608) 785-8073
http://www.uwlax.edu/Counseling/
The Counseling and Testing Center helps all UW-L students who seek to be more effective in their academic work, personal lives, and relationships with other people. The counseling process may involve changing self-defeating behaviors, understanding uncomfortable feelings, exploring social and sexual issues that diverge from family tradition, and acknowledging and enhancing personal strengths.
Our staff provides confidentiality and a safe
space for all students. We are experienced professionals and welcome anyone
wishing to discuss sexual orientation, coming out to parents, coming out
to friends, and improving communication with partners.
Pride Center
223 Cartwright Center
(608) 785-8870
PrideCenter@uwlax.edu
http://www.uwlax.edu/PrideCenter/
The Pride Center works:
REACH and SHARE
Basement Wilder Hall
(608) 785-8969
reach@uwlax.edu
The Reach and Share Peer Assistance Program
provides education and awareness via presentations, discussion groups,
and written material on GLBT issues. The program supports UW-L’s efforts
to create a safe and healthy environment for all populations. The presenters
receive extensive training on GLBT issues.
Office of Residence Life
2nd Floor Wilder Hall
(608) 785-8075
http://www.uwlax.edu/ResLife/
The Office of Residence Life is one of the
educational and student development services at UW-L. We provide reasonable
prices and well-maintained living/learning environments designed to foster
community, self-growth and responsibility, respect for others, leadership,
and positive citizenship. To get involved or to get help in handling situations
in the residence halls, contact the student resident assistant or the full-time
hall director who lives and works in your building. You can also stop in
the Office of Residence Life where the Director or Assistant Directors
are available to assist you. We are all here to help you have a positive
living experience.
RU provides a community for gay, lesbian, bisexual,
and transgender students, allies, and friends. Activities include socials, educational programs, and discussion
groups. All people who are interested in LGBT issues are invited to join.
GLBT Equity Committee
The mission of the GLBT Equity Committee is
to focus on issues of homophobia/heterosexism, with an emphasis on creating
a better environment for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender students,
faculty, and staff.
The committee is also invested in creating
a collegial working relationship with GLBT groups and agencies in the greater
La Crosse community. The committee is constantly working on creating an
inclusive atmosphere at UW-L and in La Crosse through a range of activities.
GLBT Equity Fund
Contact the GLBT Equity Committee
This program helps fund GLBT issues at UW-L.
If you wish to donate or want to utilize the funds for GLBT programs, please
contact the GLBT Equity Committee.
Crossroads United Campus Ministry
126 N. 17th Street
Pastor Marge Erickson
(608) 784-7600
Crossroads offers GLBT students personal counseling
regarding sexual orientation, as well as offering Bible studies and a meeting
place for P-FLAG. Join us for personal as well as spiritual growth.
Lutheran Campus Ministry
127 N. 17th Street
Campus Minister Paul Petersen
(608) 784-5935
paul_petersen@email.msn.com
Lutheran Campus Ministry (LCM) is a searching,
serving, and celebrating Christian community open to all students at UW-L.
LCM is a Reconciled in Christ Community offering a safe environment for
all GLBT persons. Campus Minister Paul Petersen is available for individual
or group conversations concerning issues of faith and sexuality.
Roncalli Newman Parish & Catholic Student
Group
1732 State Street
Father Mark Pierce, Pastor
(608) 784-4994
The Roncalli Newman Parish is a gathering
of students, university staff, and area folk of Roman Catholic background
and their friends who seek a stronger connection with God through study,
worship, service, and fellowship. We are not a perfect community, but we
are striving to grow in understanding, hospitality, and respect.
As a program of the YWCA of the Coulee Region,
GALAXY exists to foster a safe and supportive community for gay, lesbian,
bisexual, transgender youth and their straight friends (ages 21 and under)
through advocacy, outreach, education, and community organizing. Please
call for time and location of our weekly meeting.
Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians
and Gays (P-FLAG)
P.O. Box 3655
La Crosse, WI 54602-3655
(608) 784-7600
The La Crosse chapter of this national organization
for support, education, and advocacy meets at United Campus Ministries
on a monthly basis. Please call for our meeting day and time.
AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW)
Grandview Center
1707 Main St, Suite 420
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608)785-9866 or 1-800-947-3353
http://www.arcw.org
The AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin is a private, nonprofit health and social service agency that works to confront and alleviate the effects of the HIV disease in Wisconsin. ARCW provides aggressive HIV education and prevention; comprehensive services for people affected by HIV disease; clinical research on HIV treatment and HIV advocacy. The La Crosse office serves 5 Western Region counties: Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Trempealeau, and Vernon.
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
of La Crosse
Southside Senior Center, 1220 Denton St., La
Crosse, WI 54601
P.O. Box 2676
(608) 796-9993
Sunday services -- 10:00 a.m.
Unitarian Universalism is a non-creedal religion, holding that each individual should be free to find truth and meaning as it best fits their own life experiences. The respect for the inherent worth and dignity of all people is a key guiding principle for Unitarian Universalists. Our national organization, The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), passed its first resolution supporting bisexual, gay and lesbian communities in their struggle for equal rights and acceptance in 1970. Since then, the UUA has continued to advocate for equal rights for all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identification. Our La Crosse congregation will support you in your search for meaning and value you for who you are.
Following are some departments that offer such courses. For more information, please contact the department chair.