To the Editor:
The Feb. 27 community forum to respond to the anonymous threat received by the Dartmouth Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Organizationwas a horrible disappointment in some ways. Sometimes there is no resounding community support when it is most needed because there is, in fact, no coherent community. There are instead numerous interrelated people and offices, the cumulative effect of which is, it is to be hoped, a critical mass of support.
Because a "community" response was asked for, the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (EO/AA) wanted to give one, knowing full well that the assistance we can provide is minimal. But we can make a commitment to the following activities that address gay and lesbian issues in the workplace, which is where we have the most designated responsibility.
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We will identify or develop a handout on Fairness to Gays and Lesbians in the Workplace. It could be used in management and diversity training, in search committees and in staff meetings where people are encouraged to introduce community issues.
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EO/AA presents annually at Dartmouth College Today, a training program for mid-level managers who are relatively new to the College. Many of them come from offices one rarely sees represented at campus programs because they are not directly involved in educational issues. We can use this forum as well as others to increase awareness about the circumstances that encourage discrimination against gays and lesbians and the obligation of supervisors to intervene.
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We will of course continue to receive and investigate complaints of discrimination based on sexual orientation.
We welcome suggestions for additional ways to contribute to a safer environment for gay and lesbian staff and students and encourage other offices to join in this effort.
