New signs and posters will begin showing up around Wesemann Hall in the coming weeks as Valparaiso University School of Law prepares to launch its new “Safe Space” mentoring program.
The Safe Space program is dedicated to providing a welcoming environment where students, faculty and staff can communicate with mentors regarding a wide variety of topics without fear of persecution. The program was originally designed by and for the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender (GLBT) community to identify “safe zones” where individuals could seek counseling on issues regarding diversity and equality.
The Safe Space program is committed to changing negative attitudes and fostering an understanding of diversity within our educational community. Catch phrases such as “that’s so gay” and the use of racial and ethnic slurs to jokingly address fellow classmates have become a familiar sound on many college and university campuses. While this language may seem harmless to some, it also serves to isolate those who already consider themselves different from the majority.
Promoting diversity and understanding within the law school has been one of the main goals of the faculty and
staff in recent years. The influx of students from diverse backgrounds has led to minor culture clashes and shown the need to be sensitive to inherent cultural differences. According to the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, Safe Space programs increase the visible presence of student and adult allies who can help to shape a school culture that is accepting of all people, regardless of differences.
In order to meet the needs of a diverse community, Valpo Law has chosen to expand its version of Safe Space to encompass an array of topics including gender, religion, culture, race and women’s issues. Moses Suarez, the President of Lambda stated that, “the roll-out of the Safe Space program symbolizes Valpo Law’s commitment to diversity and demonstrates a proactive sense of care to individuality.”
The goals of Valpo’s Safe Space program are to show visible support for diversity through the display of the Safe Space logo, the mobilization of individuals who are committed to promoting diversity through open dialogue and education, and to reduce discriminatory and retaliatory behavior that may occur in diverse communities.
Administrators and student leaders who choose to participate in the program are provided with resources to assist anyone who approaches them with concerns. The volunteers are trained to promote active listening and to work in conjunction with the University’s counseling services and other off-campus resources. Administrative personnel who display the logo are committed to overcoming discrimination through open dialogue and communication.
Participation in the program is strictly voluntary and will include select student leaders and many administrative personnel including deans, associate deans, student relations and admissions staff. While the details of the program are still being developed, the program has proven successful at other schools including Chicago-Kent and Loyola.
Additional training sessions will be held in the future and the leaders of student organizations and other administrative personnel will be invited to attend.
For more information on the Safe
Space Program, please see Joe Baruffi, Paul Kulwinski or Moses Suarez.
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