The Student Assembly unanimously concluded at its meeting last night there is a need on campus for a full-time health care professional to deal with the needs of gay, lesbian and bisexual students.
But the Assembly also decided that an administrative position to address these needs is unnecessary.
The Assembly divided a motion sponsored by Assembly President Rukmini Sichitiu '95 and Vice President John Honovich '97 into two parts.
It passed the part of the resolution calling for the College to create "a health professional at Dick's House with special training on gay, lesbian and bisexual psychology to provide counseling and guidance."
But it did not pass the second half of the resolution that called for the College to create the position of "an administrator who will serve as advisor and coordinator to the gay, lesbian and bisexual community."
Sichitiu said the purpose of the resolution is to improve the quality of life for gay, lesbian and bisexual students, not to reduce homophobia on campus.
She said she was glad the part of the resolution that addressed the medical aspect of the problems facing gay, lesbian and bisexual students passed.
"I think that the health care professional at Dick's House was given little attention within the administration, but the administrative position has been given more attention because the Coalition of Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Concerns put forward a proposal for this type of administrator," Sichitiu said.
Honovich said people in these two positions would provide stability and support for gay, lesbian and bisexual students that other students already have at Dartmouth.
He said the establishment of these positions would cost the College $90,000 to $100,000.
"The number of students affected and the magnitude of the effects are so large that it's worth it," Honovich said. "It's fulfilling the school's responsibility to take care of students."
He said he did not see this resolution as giving special rights to gay, lesbian and bisexual students but rather giving them support equivalent to what other students already receive on campus.
Co-Chair of Dartmouth Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Organization Earl Plante '94 discussed specifically the need for a health care professional for gay, lesbian and bisexual students.
Plante said Dick's House does not sufficiently address the needs of these students.
He described the service for gay, lesbian and bisexual students at Dick's House as "problematic at best."
He said one woman who went to Dick's House because she thought she was a lesbian was told that "maybe she should find a good man to straighten her out."
But the Assembly was not persuaded that the College needs to
create an administrative position to address the concerns of gay, lesbian and bisexual students.
"I can't imagine what this person would do except be an advocate," said Assembly member Mark Cicirelli '96. "The College should not have a role model for groups."
After learning about this resolution on Sunday, the Conservative Union At Dartmouth released a statement of principle denouncing the resolution.
Speaking on behalf of CUAD Cicirelli said, "the Conservative Union does not think this was the best way to address the problem."
"The College should train existing people to deal with these problems," he continued. "Hiring new people is a knee-jerk reaction and an expensive reaction."
Plante said there would be four main aspects of the director's role: programming, outreach, advocacy and a resource. He said the director is necessary to increase tolerance and to serve as an advocate for the gay, lesbian and bisexual community.
