The Safe Zone Community
Safe Zone is a community of people who
- Will be understanding, supportive and trustworthy if LGBTQIA+ people need help, advice or just someone to talk to
- Will not tolerate homophobic, heterosexist, or cisgenderism comments and actions but will address them in an educational and informative manner
- Have attended Safe Zone training and have information on campus and community resources
Mission and Goals
Safe Zone's mission at SIUE is to develop a campus community of allies and provide support to LGBTQIA+ students, faculty and staff with the ultimate goal of developing SIUE as a safe and welcoming place for LGBTQIA+ people.
Resource Manual
The Safe Zone Resource Manual is a resource for all Safe Zone members. You are encouraged to take time to read through the contents of the manual to become familiar with the information it contains. The manual can be a source of information to you so you may more accurately respond to the needs of students who seek your support. Additionally, you may want to photocopy sections of this manual to give to a student. The manual represents a small amount of the information that is available about gay/lesbian/bisexual issues. We encourage you to forward information to the Safe Zone project coordinator that you would like to have included in the manual. This manual is intended to be an ongoing project. Updated and additional information will be sent to you about once per year. Please contact other members of the Safe Zone committee for additional resources.
History
Safe Zone began in fall of 2000 when a representative from SIUC provided the first ally training to approximately 35-40 SIUE faculty and staff. Additional training was provided later as a “Train the Trainer'' program for ally training. Faculty and staff in attendance formed a committee of volunteers who provided 2-3 ally training sessions per year and two committee meetings each year. The purpose of Safe Zone was to train faculty and staff as allies who would help LGBTQIA+ students on campus. In 2005-2006, a small sub-group within Safe Zone worked diligently to obtain benefits for LGBTQIA+ faculty and staff.
Past Chairs
- Kevin Cannon
- Lenore Horner (- 2010)
- Brian Hinterscher (2010-2011)
- Vicky Dean (2010-2013)
- Sherry Smith (2011-2012)
- John Davenport (Fall 2013)
- Dayna Henry (2012-2014)
- Rex Jackson (2013-2015)
- Marie Klopfenstein (2014-2015)
- Jamie Matthews (2015-2016)
- Mary Sue Love (2016-2019)
- Shelly Price-Williams (2016-2019)
- Jennifer Hernandez (2019-2021)
- Nick Niemerg (2019-2023)
Safe Zone Operating Papers
The operating papers for the Safe Zone Committee outline in more detail how this committee fits into the institution in terms of funding and reporting structure. In addition, the operating papers provide information on the leadership positions for Safe Zone and how those positions are filled. If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact a Safe Zone co-chair.
