To the Editor:
We are writing to clarify an article, "New dean to handle gay issues," that appeared in the Oct. 4 issue of the The Dartmouth.
The article states, "The College wants by June 1995 to create a new administrative position to address issues related to Dartmouth's gay, lesbian, and bisexual community." While the College is commited to do all that it can to afford all Dartmouth students -- including gay, lesbian and bisexual students -- the support that they need not to only survive, but to thrive at the College, the article could leave one with the impression that such a new administration position "is a done deal." The facts are the following:
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Members of the Coalition for Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Concerns and members of DaGLO have met with the Dean of the College. We discussed a variety of topics, including the prospect of identifying a person at the College who can provide requisite support for gay, lesbian and bisexual students.
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The Coalition is continuing to discuss -- among itself and with the Dean of the College -- appropriate job responsibilities for such an individual.
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As yet, no College funds have been identified to support such a position.
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No decision has been made regarding whether or not this position, if approved and funded, would be occupied by a "dean."
The Dean of the College has made it clear that the College has received similar requests from other student groups, and that it is important that the College consider how best to manage the diverse needs of all Dartmouth students within the context of its educational principles and sense of community.
It may be that the College can meet them through a rearrangement of existing advising positions or it may be that additional resources will be required. Thus, the advising deans within the Dean of the College area have begun to explore the ways in which those needs ought to be met, and it is in that context that the Coalition will continue to work with the College to identify the advising and support that gay, lesbian and bisexual students so urgently need.
