While this letter was composed by nine students who happen to be members of the Core Council for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Questioning Students, we do not speak on behalf of the council itself, the faculty and administrators involved, or the other student leaders on the council. These are our personal opinions.
We, as student leaders, would like to take this opportunity to share with the campus community our opinions regarding the University's recent decision to not add sexual orientation to the official non-discrimination clause and to weigh in on the impending decision concerning the club status of AllianceND.
While we remain committed to serving on the Core Council because of the opportunity it provides to engage in dialogue with the administration regarding our concerns for the GLBTQ community, we want to emphasize that the Core Council alone is not sufficient to effectively change the atmosphere on Our Lady's campus toward GBLTQ individuals, nor is it capable of adequately serving the thousands of students, faculty and staff who are concerned with GLBTQ rights and inclusion.
Those of us returning for the 2012 -2013 school year will continue to use our roles on the council to improve the climate on this campus for GLBTQ students. We want, however, to express our full support of the recognition of AllianceND for the coming school year and the inclusion of sexual orientation in the University's non-discrimination clause.
It needs to get better on this campus. We believe that these changes are long overdue and have the potential to improve the atmosphere on this campus drastically for both GLBTQ and Ally members of the Notre Dame community. We want every student, staff and faculty member frustrated by the current climate to know that we stand with you in this struggle, and that we, as individuals, support you.
In solidarity,
Sean Cotter
freshman
Zahm Hall
ElieElian
junior
O'Neill Hall
Jason G'Sell
senior
Duncan Hall
Tom Lienhoop
sophomore
Dillon Hall
Mia Lillis
sophomore
Cavanaugh Hall
Lauren Morisseau
freshman
Breen-Phillips Hall
Maggie Waickman
freshman
Pasquerilla East Hall
Brenna Williams
senior
off campus
Kristy Frilling
senior
off campus
April 30
