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Show 111111 REV 0 4 DROPPING OUT, A3 SOFTBALL TEAM ON THE ROAD, B1 (Id 4 LIV.XX II 4.01.2013 ill : ) • The Independent Student Voice //uvureview.conn A change in the anti-discrimination policy I I UTAH VALLEY la UNIVERSITY.. LIVLINK FUTURE STUDENTS STUDENTS I FACULTY & STAFF I VISITORSIPARENTSI ABOUT US POLICY MANUAL APPROVAL PIPELINE I ALUMNI I Search UVU SEARC H A-Z Irdex I Cortacts I Fird People UVU GIViNG I EMPLOYMENT POLICY RESOURCES I THE ONLINE POLICY I SYSTEM > The Online Policy System FAQ Printer Friendly PHOTO COURTESY OF UVU.EDU An on campus harassment case in 2012 consisting of hate mail targeting student, Tom Hawkins, spurred the administration to make this change. - In Jan. 2013 the administration added sexual orientation as a protected status to the anti-discrimination policy By Kate Ayer Life Writer katelind.m.ayer@gmail.com Nearly a year after the oncampus harassment of a gay student in March 2012, UVU has amended its anti-discrimination policy to list sexual orientation as a protected status. The change, which took place Jan. 2013, was an effort championed by Tom Hawkins, UVU family studies major and co-chair of UVU Spectrum, also known as the Gay/Straight Alliance. "When UVU claims to be an inclusive campus, examples like this are what make it so," Hawkins said. "The university and the administration are going above and beyond what is required to make sure students feel secure, safe and as if this is their school as much as anyone else's." The effort put forth by the administration to change Policy 165 was spurred in 2012 when Hawkins was running for vice president of clubs. An anonymous student sent an email denouncing to various clubs and their presidencies because of his sexual orientation. The student urged, "Stand true to your beliefs. Hold true to the rod, and do not let this sinning student win." The "concerned student" also wrote, "Because of Tom Hawkins' sexuality his judgment is impaired, and biased. This is a risky thing as he will be imposing his biasis and judgments into all the clubs and or- ganizations on campus ... Because of Tom's sexual orientation, he will not be able to perform his job the same way his opponent can." After reading the hate-mail that was circulating among his peers, Hawkins said, "My initial reaction was to quit the race with what dignity I had left. However, I quickly decided to try and turn a negative situation into a positive one." Students, faculty, staff and the administration rallied behind Hawkins in the cause of equality. "I gained a deep sense of pride in the school, which has turned into a love for this school," Hawkins said. "It is always a good reminder that just because one person thinks a certain way, does not mean that person speaks for every one of that community, religion, race etc." Hawkins said because of all the support he received, the amendment, which could have taken years to approve, was passed in less than a year. The policy was re-written by the end of summer 2012 and presented to the Board of Trustees in December of the same year. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to pass the amendment of the anti-discrimination policy to include sexual orientation. Using the momentum from this triumph for the LGBT community, UVU Spectrum is currently working with university administration on creating more safe zones on campus. "Utah Valley can sometimes be hard for people of the LGBT community because of the dominant religion here. Many people of the LGBT community feel they do not belong," Hawkins said. "[This] is one of the reasons safe zones and Spectrum are so important. It gives people a place they can come and feel is if they have a place." Hawkins is hoping that in time, UVU will have a strong resource center for the LGBT community, so residents of Utah Valley have a place to belong after so many have been cast outside by moral codes and social stigmas. Recently, Spectrum has begun a mentoring program in Provo for LGBT youth, and its members hope to establish similar programs in Orem and Payson. "We've banded together, and we have made a home for a lot of people who didn't have one to go back to," Hawkins said. Although Hawkins understands that being associated with Spectrum, which is still controversial in Utah Valley, will ignite a backlash, he chooses to fight for equality of the LGBT community "If we have ideas or possible solutions to problems, we should be discussing them, rather than turning a blind eye and hop- ing someone else solves them," Hawkins said. "In reality, these hot topics are things we should be having discussions about." Hawkins's never-wavering commitment to having a positive outlook is what has helped him, and will continue to help him win his battles for equality. "There is a stereotype about Utah Valley and how conservative it is," Hawkins said. "There is a stereotype about UVU being like BYU. But stereotypes are constantly being broken. The thing is, no matter where you go, there are going to be good and bad things about that place, as well as good and bad people. The trick is to figure out how to handle the bad that comes with the good. It's up to you. We should be working on building bridges between two communities that have been very hurt by each other and stop trying to play an eye for an eye." Medical and Mental Health Services Short-staffed health service points to serving priority to currently enrolled students By Natalie Sullivan Assistant News Editor Twitter @nhillsullivan In addition to the new Student Life building's bowling alleys, PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE RIGERT Officially approved rendering for UVU's new classroom building, groundbreaking tentatively scheduled for late summer. UVU gets thumbs up for groundbreaking on new building State legislature provides $54 million to expand UVU campus By Nicole Shepard Assistant News Editor Twitter @NicoleEShepard On Thursday March 14, the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee of the Utah State Legislature announced its funding plans for purposed UVU building expansion. "Heading into the session, we knew that we would not get everything we requested," said President Matthew Holland in his announcement to UVU faculty and administration. "There was even a moment of uncertainty about whether any of our requests would get funded." With the $10 million cut in 2008 and the possibility of an- other $10 million cut in funding looming, UVU waited to see how many, if any, funding proposals would be granted. Bearing in mind UVU's history of being underfunded and denied support to pursue goals, Holland had to consider the possibility that the competition for the money was too great. "We ... faced a set of stiffly competitive projects on the capital facilities front," Holland said. "These issues and the many twists and turns of the session notwithstanding, I am happy to report that UVU fared quite well during the session." After two years of waiting, President Holland announced on March 20 that UVU has received $54 million to move forward with its plans to build another classroom building. "I'm glad they're getting this extra building," said Megan Tinds- dell, a senior. "The school is so crowded, it'll be nice to have some extra breathing room, even if it doesn't affect my time here." The new 250,000 square-foot classroom building will have more than 200 offices, 3,000 classrooms, a 1,000-seat auditorium and several large study areas. Many faculty members and students have expressed relief in the new building and the space it will provide. Others aren't quite sure it's as necessary as everyone says it is. "Everyone keeps saying that we need the space, and maybe we do," said Kayla Hart, a sophomore. "I've just never noticed that much of a problem. I've only ever had one class where there were more than 20 or 25 people, and that was my biology class last year. But now we have the science building for that, and we're getting that student life building." UVU currently has the fewest square feet per student of any upper education institution in Utah. Utah Board of Regents conducted a study that found UVU has 56 assignable square feet for every full-time student, a Utah System of Higher Education low. The study also indicated that UVU would need a minimum of 757,000 additional assigned square feet by 2020 to accommodate growth, at which time the student body is projected to near 43,000 students. "The Utah Legislature's approval of funding for the new classroom building is a crucial win for UVU students, and we're grateful for lawmakers' support," Holland said. "This new facility will help ensure that students and faculty members have the physical learning tools and atmosphere that is vital to student success." The building will be construct- ed in the parking lot just north of the Liberal Arts building. Questions of where students will park once groundbreaking, projected for late this summer, has begun. With limited space on or near campus to park, some students are already feeling agitated. "It just seems like another construction nightmare," Hart said. "Not to mention the fewer parking spots we'll have. Next thing you know we'll be asked to just walk our commute to school. I come from Sandy and I'm already fed up with parking; it's completely impossible." The university recognizes the potential parking issues but looks toward the improved mass transit that is now available through Frontrunner and UTA that improves transportation options for students commuting from Salt Lake Valley Administration was unable to officially comment on future parking plans at this time. fitness centers and office spaces, Student Health Services will also be given more space and with it, the opportunity for expansion. Student Health Services plans to add another medical patient room and regular nurse, giving the clinic five rooms and three rotating nurses but hopes to convert all their current office spaces into patient rooms. "A drop [in enrollment] is a perfect time to catch up", said Bill Erb, Director of Student Health Services. Nonetheless, only time will tell if their expansion in resources will expand their availability or eligibility policy for services. Currently, Student Health Services provides care to currently enrolled students as well as faculty and staff, but not to dependents or those not currently enrolled or employed. As noted on their website, services to faculty and staff are "limited" always taking care that students who are taking at least six credits are served first. " [In an emergency situation], I don't think any medical center should turn anyone away, but can we serve everybody? No," said Erb. According to JC Graham, suicide prevention and awareness program coordinator, if a student was not currently enrolled but still required services, their claim would be dealt with on a case-by-case basis by Erb. Erb spoke much about the See HEALTH SERVICES, A4 |