Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion postpones relocation of LGBT Center

Photo courtesy of: University Communications and MarketingDr. Gigi Secuban

Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Dr. Gigi Secuban released this statement about the immediate future of the LGBT Center on the evening of Wednesday, April 24, 2019.

 Dear Bobcat Community,

As the end of the school year approaches, I have heard many voices within our community express concern about recent plans to move the LGBT Center into the gallery space on the second floor of Baker Center. 

I want you to know that I have always had the best interest at heart for all of our students. My true intention was to bring all of our diverse communities together in strength and solidarity – not to push us apart.

I have had several discussions with President Nellis about this matter, and I have decided to postpone all relocation plans so that we can truly partner with our students moving forward as we continue to weigh options. 

As a next step, we will identify temporary office space for the LGBT Center staff until we can identify a permanent solution through a renewed strategic and collaborative approach with the community this fall. We will continue to engage students from both the Multicultural Center and the LGBT Center in this process moving forward as we develop more robust programming and invest in meeting all of their collective needs to the best of our ability.

In closing, my commitment is to do what is best for our students, community and university as we pave a new pathway forward for diversity and inclusion. I hope you will join me as we build the way for new heights related to diversity and inclusion in the national landscape of higher education and beyond.

Gigi