The Safe Zone Project Improving the Campus Climate

The Safe Zone Project Improving the Campus Climate for LGBT Students at CSU Long Beach Ferdinand Arcinue, Ph. D. Pamela Ashe, Ph. D. Kirstyn Chun, Psy. D. Judy Prince, Psy. D. OCCDHE November 3, 2005

Safe Zone History, Rationale, Goals, and Objectives

Systemic Intervention Model (Archer & Cooper) q Initiator-catalyst role of the counselor q Program Development Task Force q Programming to address diversity issues q Administrative support

Why Safe Zone at CSULB? q Inadequate funding of LGBT Resource Center q Concerns of faculty members q Desire to identify CAPS staff who are active as allies q Safe Zone as the “Contemporary Above -Ground Railroad”

Timeline of Safe Zone Development q Spring 2002 – commitment made to develop Safe Zone Program q Fall 2002 – researched literature and existing programs; defined goals; developed materials; created SZ advisory board

Timeline (continued) q Spring 2003 – developed didactic/experiential training; developed decal; fundraising; conducted pilot training; made revisions; conducted training for selected student services professionals q Fall 2003 – continued fundraising; continued revisions to training

Timeline (continued) q Spring 2004 – developed Safe Zone Ally Network; continued revisions to training q Fall 2004 – Training requires no further revisions (finally!) q Spring 2005 – update slides and materials; step up recruitment q Fall 2005 – develop advertising plan; present our work to colleagues at OCCDHE

Key Decisions q Advisory Board composition q Length of training q Requirements for receiving a decal q Recruitment

Overview of Safe Zone Ally Training and Program

Safe Zone Training Program q Safe Zone Overview q Identity Pull Exercise q Coming Out q Privilege Exercise q LGBT Student Panel q Becoming an Ally q Closing and Pledge

Safe Zone Training Program q Safe Zone Overview q Identity Pull Exercise q Coming Out q Privilege Exercise q LGBT Student Panel q Becoming an Ally q Closing and Pledge

Training: Overview q Facilitate introductions q Purpose of training q Importance of Safe Zone q Safe Zone Ally Handbook and Resource Guide q Outline of training agenda

Safe Zone Training Program q Safe Zone Overview q Identity Pull Exercise q Coming Out q Privilege Exercise q LGBT Student Panel q Becoming an Ally q Closing and Pledge

Training: Identity Pull Exercise q Experiential activity - LGBT students of color q First seen demonstrated by Richard Rodriguez, Ph. D. q Purpose of exercise

Safe Zone Training Program q Safe Zone Overview q Identity Pull Exercise q Coming Out q Privilege Exercise q LGBT Student Panel q Becoming an Ally q Closing and Pledge

Training: Coming Out q Cass model of identity development (1979) q Knowledge of risks, needs, feelings q Coming out issues for students of diverse backgrounds

Safe Zone Training Program q Safe Zone Overview q Identity Pull Exercise q Coming Out q Privilege Exercise q LGBT Student Panel q Becoming an Ally q Closing and Pledge

Training: Privilege Exercise q Guided imagery exercise q Illustrates heterosexual privilege

Safe Zone Training Program q Safe Zone Overview q Identity Pull Exercise q Coming Out q Privilege Exercise q LGBT Student Panel q Becoming an Ally q Closing and Pledge

Training: LGBT Student Panel q In collaboration with the LGBT Resource Center q Student panel q Facilitated dialogue q Participants ask questions

Safe Zone Training Program q Safe Zone Overview q Identity Pull Exercise q Coming Out q Privilege Exercise q LGBT Student Panel q Becoming an Ally q Closing and Pledge

Training: Becoming an Ally q Video vignettes q Role plays

Safe Zone Training Program q Safe Zone Overview q Identity Pull Exercise q Coming Out q Privilege Exercise q LGBT Student Panel q Becoming an Ally q Closing and Pledge

Training: Closing and Pledge q Meaning of Safe Zone decal q Closing activity q Ally information sheet q Ally contract q Evaluation form

Role of Safe Zone Ally q. What is an Ally?

A Safe Zone Ally is: q An “LGBT friendly” faculty or staff person q A provider of support, information and resources for LGBT students q One who does not accept homophobic and heterosexist comments and actions.

Qualities of an LGBT Ally q Believes in equality for people of the LGBT community q Works to develop an understanding of the LGBT community q Willing to take a stand against prejudice and discrimination

Qualities of an LGBT Ally (cont. ) q Acknowledges and takes responsibility for own prejudices q Listens openly q Has a vision of an inclusive and just society, free from prejudice and discrimination

What a Safe Zone Ally is NOT: q An advice giver q A counselor or therapist q One who takes responsibility for the lives/problems of others. q An expert on LGBT issues

Four Levels of Becoming an Ally q Awareness q Knowledge q Skills q Action

Deciding to Become an Ally q What to expect q Significance of the Safe Zone decal q Is being an Ally right for you?

Safe Zone Ally Network q Ongoing training q Mutual support q Information…

Marketing of Safe Zone

What’s Next for Safe Zone? q Safe Zone Ally Network q Training Student Leaders and Resident Assistants q Training Trainers

Campus Politics and Internal Resistance

Questions and Answers

For More Information… Counseling and Psychological Services California State University, Long Beach Brotman Hall, Room 226 1250 Bellflower Boulevard Long Beach, CA 90840 -0111 562. 985. 4001 / 562. 985. 8817 (fax) peashe@csulb. edu Kchun@csulb. edu farcinue@csulb. edu jprince 2@csulb. edu

The Safe Zone Project Improving the Campus Climate for LGBT Students at CSU Long Beach Ferdinand Arcinue, Ph. D. Pamela Ashe, Ph. D. Kirstyn Chun, Psy. D. Judy Prince, Psy. D. OCCDHE November 3, 2005