Faculty, staff and students participate in safe space training
The goal of the safe space training, which was held on March 23 and March 30 and made open to faculty, staff and students, was to help community members better include and interact with members of the Q+ community. Over 100 faculty and staff completed the training.
CSB/SJU hosted a safe space training on March 23 and 30 for students and faculty. The training focused on how the students and faculty at CSB/SJU can be allies towards Q+ members.
The training is part of a broader plan to have a robust system to teach faculty and staff a better understanding of identities, pronouns and language of the Q+ community. The hope is that the training will help faculty and staff better include and interact with the Q+ community.
“More than 100 staff/faculty signed up [for training] To me that says that staff/faculty are hungry for this knowledge and are eager to know how to be better in our work with Q+ students. We were blown away by the positive response,” said Jean Keller, professor of philosophy and chair of gender studies, via email.
The overall positive response from faculty and staff is a first step to the widespread utilization of the skills the training aims to provide.
Looking into the future, CSB/SJU is hoping to provide regular trainings and workshops for all who want it.
While the training is a strong first step, there is still more to do. CSB/SJU hopes to refine this training and will continually work to adjust the training as need so that it can best support the Q+ community, according to Keller.
“This workshop is one small step. In my perfect world, we would establish a Sexuality Center on campus and hire a gender studies faculty member with expertise in Queer Studies,” Keller said.
The hope is that this training will make a positive impact on Q+ students’ lives at CSB/SJU. CSB/SJU is not just providing training to try and improve its inclusivity.
Last week Thursday, March 31, CSB/SJU recognized Trans Day of Visibility. In honor of Trans Day of Visibility, the Q Plus organization on campus hosted a trans student experience panel. One of the speakers was SJU junior, Sean Fisher.
“CSB/SJU needs to recognize the presence of queer, trans and gender non-conforming (GNC) students. Holding events for these kinds of students creates community and allows us to experience a life filled with joy created by us and encouraged by others,” Fisher said.
Listening and learning from each other is an important message from both Keller and Fisher. Both agree that there is more CSB/SJU can do.
“It is important for us to include LGBTQ+ students and learn from their experience. I think that everywhere can work on being more inclusive towards queer and trans folks,” Fisher said.