Seattle Central Community College President reaches out to LGBT community on campus
In a message yesterday to students, staff and faculty, Paul T. Killpatrick, president of Seattle Central Community College, responded to the recent death of Tyler Clementi on the Rutgers University campus.
The message, in its entirety, follows:
Like all of you, I am saddened by the death of Tyler Clementi on the Rutgers University campus. It is a poignant reminder to us of our responsibility to create a safe learning environment for all of our students. Today, I am thinking specifically about our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students.
Tragically, Tyler’s death is the fifth teenage LGBT suicide on a high school or college campus in the last four weeks.
Lest you believe this is “something that happens on other campuses,” you should be aware that a member of Seattle Central’s Triangle Club committed suicide last year.
Here on Capitol Hill – the heart of Seattle’s LGBT community – we may believe that harassment of LGBT students and staff does not happen here. But faculty and staff routinely talk to LGBT students who report they do not feel safe.
According to a just-released survey from the organization Campus Pride, twenty-five percent of LGBT staff, faculty, and students reported experiencing harassment. Almost all identified sexual identity as the basis of the harassment (83 percent).
To our LGBT students, staff and faculty, please know that you are valued and are welcome at Seattle Central. If you are a student who feels threatened, please speak to a counselor in your division. Faculty and staff should speak to their supervisor or a human resources representative. Harassment or bullying will not be tolerated on our campus.
As an institution, we are looking at ways we can be more supportive of our campus LGBT community. If you have ideas, contact Laura Mansfield in the president’s office.
Please join me in making our campus a place where everyone feels safe and accepted.