LGBT Purpose

The University of Georgia is a top 20 public institution and continues to advance in many ways. It strives to recruit and retain the best faculty, staff, and students to continue a legacy of academic excellence. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Resource Center was created to support the University's and the Division of Student Affairs' missions and goals.

In the 21st century, the University of Georgia is focused on increasing research opportunities; helping students compete in a global economy; and enhancing the learning environment. In addition, the Division of Student Affairs is focused on meeting the needs of students; enhancing the University's learning environment; and committing to a diverse environment.

As an area within Intercultural Affairs, the purpose of the LGBT Resource Center is to create a safe and inclusive environment for the LGBT, queer, and ally community and contributes to a culturally rich campus through community building, advocacy, social justice and diversity education, cultural competence, leadership, and the development of global citizens.  Without such support for LGBTQ students and their allies, the University of Georgia will not be able to fulfill its own mission and goals.

Below you will find documents that provide an overview of the demonstrated need for services and support for all University students.

In the Shadow of the Arch by the UGA Campus Climate Research Group

Campus Climate for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender People: A National Perspective by Sue Rankin and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

Responding to Hate Crimes and Bias-Motivated Incidents on College/University Campuses by the U.S. Department of Justice

In addition, the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education established specific professional standards for LGBT centers in 2000. They currently include standards on programming, organization, leadership, resource development, legal responsibilities, technology and facilities, equity and access, diversity, assessment, and evaluation.

You may also look at the LGBT Resource Center's history page to see a more detailed look at the experiences of our students. This page includes letters, memos, and newspaper articles demonstrating the climate for LGBTQ students and provides historical context. 

 

 

Advisory Board

The University of Georgia LGBT Resource Center Advisory Board is composed of students, faculty, staff, and members of the local community. These members are appointed by the Vice President for Student Affairs to represent the Center’s constituencies. 
 
The purposes of the advisory board are:  
To provide advice and input to the LGBT Campus Resource Center Director and staff on planning, implementation, and operational aspects of the Center;

To assure that the overall planning and implementation is consistent with the expectations of the Division of Student Affairs; 
To advise on the coordination of the activities of the Center within the context of the University and the greater community; 
To serve as ambassadors for the Center's goals and objectives

 

Click here for Advisory Board Procedures.

Click here for the LGBT Resource Center's Strategic Plan.

2009-2010 Advisory Board Members

Renee DuBose  Pastor  Our Hope Metropolitan Community Church  ourhope@aol.com Tami Garner  UGA Alumni Association  tgardner@uga.edu    Michael Lacher  UGA Alumnus   mlacher@aol.com Steven Lewis  Associate Professor  Department of Physics and Astronomy  lewis@physast.uga.edu

Olivia Long Executive Director AIDS Athens olivia@aidsathens.org Ashton May Director of Outreach Lambda Alliance amay8907@gmail.com Kenya McKinley Area Coordinator Department of University Housing kmckinle@uga.edu Shannon Miller Graduate Student Queer Graduate Group shannonm@uga.edu Molly Moreland Myers Institute for Women's Studies Public Relations Coordinator momolly@uga.edu Jenny Penny Oliver Director Academic Initiatives College of Education jpo@uga.edu

Alex Rowland Law Student UGA OUTLaws alexrowland@gmail.com Geoff Smith Researcher Department of Infectious Diseases wolf@uga.edu Mimi Sodhi Assistant Provost for Institutional Diversity Office of Institutional Diversity msodhi@uga.edu Kecia Thomas Sr. Advisor to the Dean for Inclusion & Diversity Leadership Franklin College of Arts and Sciences kthomas@uga.edu Jeananne Tiffany Graduate Student Department of Counseling and Human Development jtiffany@uga.edu

 

Staff, Interns, & Volunteering

Staff
The LGBT Resource Center is currently supported by one full-time staff member, two graduate advisors, student staff members, and student volunteers.

Associate Director of Intercultural Affairs and Director of the LGBT Resource Center: Coming Soon

Student Workers
Students that qualify for the Federal Student Worker program may apply to work in the LGBT Resource Center. Student workers answer phones, greet visitors, and work on special projects in the Center. These positions are for fall and spring semesters.  

Student Affairs Practicum Student
First-year masters students in the College Student Affairs Administration program are provided opportunities to gain first-hand experience under supervision and guidance of qualified and dedicated professionals in the field of higher education.  The LGBT Resource Center is one of the practicum sites. This position is held during the spring semester.

Volunteering at the LGBT Resource Center

Through volunteer support and involvement, the LGBT Resource Center serves all students on the University of Georgia campus. Volunteers help establish an inclusive environment, welcoming all who seek support.  Volunteers are a vital resource and necessary in order to ensure the Center is open throughout the day.

Responsibilities:
Serve as first point of contact when students, faculty, staff, and visitors enter the Center. 
Perform administrative assistant duties including answering phones and maintaining a clean environment. 
Provide tours of the Center to visitors. 
Provide resources and referral tools to students in need of extra support. 
Attend volunteer meetings.
Assist in revising printed and online materials.
Assist in researching topics on LGBT related subjects.
Organize materials for outreach programs, such as Safe Space, Rainbow Chat, and online resource.
Design posters and bulletin boards.
Assist Lambda Alliance with special events and projects.

Commitment:
The Center is open Monday-Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Each day, volunteers are needed to staff the front desk. Volunteers are asked to commit to a work schedule for the semester dictated by the amount of time she/he has available. Students may volunteer from 4 hours to 20 hours per week.

Qualifications:
Must be an enrolled undergraduate, graduate, or professional student at the University of Georgia 
Must be willing to serve as a positive support resource for the LGBT community 
Must agree to treat others with respect and dignity.

For information on how to volunteer in the LGBT Resource Center, contact lgbt@uga.edu or call 706.542.4077. 

 

Donate to the LGBT Resource Center

The UGA Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Resource Center is one of a growing number of such centers in the southeast and the country. Opened in 2005, the Center provides students with programming space, support services, educational programs, and 900+ books, videos and journals. Your support will enable the Center to continue to expand programs and services that impact student success at UGA!

Please consider making a contribution to support the programming and support services of the LGBT Resource Center including but not limited to educational resources, per diem and honorarium expenses, food/reception, emergency support funds, and programming supplies. 
Feel free to contact the LGBT Resource Center at 706.542.4077 to talk about the many ways that you can support the work being done for our students.  

What can your gift do for our students?

$10/month       One LGBT journal not carried by the UGA library 
$25/month       Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner 
$50                  Tassels for Lavender Graduation 
$100                Safe Space stickers for faculty/staff 
$250                Ten videos/books for the library 
$500                Lavender Graduation Reception 
$1000              One Semester of Faculty in Residence Lunches 
$5000              Honorarium for campus speaker 
$10,000           Emergency support fund for students 
$25,000           Endow programs and services 
$100,000         Endow Lavender Graduation

There are naming opportunities for the LGBT Resource Center.

Donate Here
https://asg.citp.uga.edu/archgiving/index.asp?brand=gafund&page=makegift&accntcat=85&theaccnt=&account=30912860&amount=50&otheramt=0

Faculty and Staff can also have contributions taken directly out of their checks.

Faculty/Staff may also give through payroll deductions. Download the form here. Enter “Arch Foundation-Student Affairs-LGBT Resource Center” on the form.
http://www.alumni.uga.edu/gafund/PayrollDeductionwebform.pdf

 

Testimonials

What are students and alumni saying about the LGBT Resource Center ?

"The LGBT Resource Center has provided me with a safe, welcoming space to make friends, get work done, and to be who I am without having to explain or justify who I am. The personal support and fellowship I have found here has been the defining factor in my happiness and emotional well-being at UGA."

--Shawna Scott, Student, 2009

"With a campus catering to over 32,000 students it's hard not to get lost in the crowd. A place to study or just a nice place to hang out can sometimes be hard to find. The LGBT Resource Center has become a second home to me. Its friendly environment creates a wonderful place to surf the net, study, hang out with friends or take a nap on one of the most comfortable couches in the world."

--Katherine “Kitty”  Burdette, Student, 2009

"The Center has provided me with a safe haven on campus that I did not have my first two years. It has enabled me to engage in enlightening and thought provoking conversations with diverse groups of people that I otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity to meet. Its creation sent the message to me that the university does value diversity and that it is making strides to make sure that all students feel safe and comfortable, and to ensure that everyone has a great college experience. It has allowed me to grow as a person by allowing me to challenge my ideas and my beliefs about myself and what it means to be a member of the LGBT community in a place where I feel comfortable.

The wide range of programs and events that are offered in the center have allowed me to expand my social network and my awareness of the resources available to me on campus. Having a staff and an advisor in the center that are available from 8-5 everyday gives me comfort and lets me know that someone is always available for me to talk to about my issues and concerns. The wide range of magazines, books, and other resources available at the center allow me to stay connected with the LGBT community outside of UGA."

--Chris Stokes, Student, 2008

"The LGBT Resource Center was a saving grace for me. The center was an amazing place for me to develop my leadership abilities while letting me discover who I am. I left UGA with a strong sense of self and direction, and I owe so much to the UGA Resource Center . The Center was so much more than just close friends and valuable information; it was truly an experience in self discovery."

--Patrick Miller, Alumnus, 2006