Initiative on LGBTQ Student Resources

Georgetown University’s President John J. DeGioia announced steps to strengthen the climate and resources for LGBTQ students at Georgetown University in an open meeting on campus on October 24, 2007. The initiative of three working groups was coordinated by Vice President for Institutional Diversity and Equity Rosemary Kilkenny and Vice President for Public Affairs and Strategic Development Daniel R. Porterfield.

The working groups were formally named and charged to begin their work on November 2, 2007.  At the end of January 2008 all of the working groups submitted reports to President DeGioia and Provost O’Donnell for their review and consideration.  On February 7, 2008 President DeGioia and Provost O’Donnell notified the University Community of their acceptance of these reports and outlined steps to begin implementation of these efforts. 

The working groups are:

• Working Group on Reporting: to evaluate existing mechanisms and develop a plan to strengthen the process for notifying members of the university community when acts of intolerance, hate or bias are reported and develop a clear statement of when, how and why the University makes public notifications and who makes these decisions.
• Working Group on Resources: to evaluate and determine the range of student needs that should be addressed and the level of appropriate support, including the possibility of a full time LGBTQ resource coordinator and an LGBTQ resource center, for coordinating these issues in a manner consistent with Georgetown’s Catholic and Jesuit identity; and that attention be given to students who have not come out or are questioning their sexual identity.
• Working Group on Education: to evaluate the use of educational programs to promote inclusion of, and respect for, the LGBTQ community and develop ideas that complement and reinforce Georgetown’s academic mission and desire to sustain many forms of diversity.