The Dean of Students Office's possible reorganization of student services and student development programs has raised serious concerns among the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community at UW-Madison.
The proposed merger of the MultiCultural Student Center and the Diversity Education Program with the LGBT Campus Center was the main concern voiced by students and faculty at the LGBT listening session Wednesday night.
UW-Madison senior Kevin Otten explained the plan was released at the end of the semester and was to initially take effect July 1.
\This proposal was designed and created without student input from any of these organizations, which is why we're all very upset,"" Otten said.
Otten said he was also unhappy with the timing of the proposal because the only chance students have to give feedback is right in the middle of finals.
""The timing of it was very poor and we think somewhat strategic,"" he said.
In a meeting Otten had with Dean of Students Luoluo Hong and other concerned students earlier in April, Hong agreed to halt the proposal and start over.
""But since then she's sort of gone back and said, 'well, we are going to continue to work with this but I'll have more input from students,' so she sort of backtracked from what she originally agreed to,"" Otten said. ""I think Dean Hong has really severely damaged her relationship with LGBT students on campus.""
UW-Madison senior Kelly Schultz said the LGBT Campus Center played a big role in her coming out and if it was merged with other groups, she would not feel like she was in a safe space.
The group agreed with her in the sentiment that coming out is difficult to do and would be even harder if the LGBT Campus Center was combined with other organizations.
The merge also would be ""insulting to all groups,"" Schultz said. ""It's like saying if you're different, here's where you can go.""
""These are each three separate groups that have their own cultures ... and histories,"" Otten said. ""It's very arrogant to assume that that's a good idea without ever even talking to them.""
Also present at the discussion last night was UW-Madison junior and member of the Student Policies and Non-Academic Programs Board Nicholas Fox. The role of this board, consisting of students and faculty, is to advise the Dean on policies.
""This committee that I sit on will ultimately vote whether or not we think the policy that the Dean of Students has chosen is a good one to recommend,"" Fox said.
