JSU Relaunches Safe Zone Program

02/22/2019

Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States, once said “All young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential.” 

JSU is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds to study and work, regardless of race, color, creed, place of origin, gender, sexual orientation or political affiliation. 

In this spirit of inclusivity, JSU Student Affairs is relaunching its Safe Zone program this spring. Safe Zone is a campus-wide program that works to ensure a welcoming environment for all gender identities and sexual orientations at JSU. 

Administered by the Division of Student Affairs, the Safe Zone program establishes an identifiable network of trained individuals committed to fostering an atmosphere of respect and inclusion - providing a safe space for members of the LGBTQ community and their allies on campus. 

“As an institution of higher learning, JSU has a moral responsibility to provide an environment for students that fosters an exchange of ideas, value systems, creativity, discovery, development and ultimately success,” said Dr. Tim King, Vice President of Student Affairs. “Students who identify as LGBTQ deserve to know the university community will treat them with empathy and compassion.”

Faculty, staff and students are invited to attend basic Safe Zone training in one of four sessions offered in Spring 2019: March 7, March 13, April 5 and April 9. Each 1.5 hour session is taught by a faculty/staff and student pair of facilitators. Participants will gain a basic understanding of gender identities, sexual orientations and how to best support the LGBTQ community at JSU. Additional sessions and advanced training will be offered in the fall. 

Seating is limited. Register to attend online.