Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Network
Forms at UCFV

October was National Coming Out month
in Canada, and in the spirit of “coming
out”, a network of students, faculty, and
staff at UCFV has begun to meet in order .
to look at ways to support the education,
advocacy and support needs of gay,
lesbian, and bisexual people at UCFV. ©

The focus of the group will be to
provide a safe space for gay, lesbian, and
bisexual students to meet and support one
another as they pursue their post-secondary
studies; scholarly activities relating to gay
and lesbian studies; advocacy within the
University College and Fraser Valley
community on issues pertaining to sexual
orientation discrimination; as well as a
general interest on the part of members in
human rights issues.

One of the values “inherent in the
governance and daily life of UCFV...[is a]
commitment to recognize and uphold the
worth and rights of each individual person
with whom we come into contact,
regardless of gender, religion, racial origin,
disabilities, socio-economic status or

sexual orientation.”*

To this end, UCFV has for many years
extended same-sex spousal benefits to its
gay and lesbian employees. The
University College also has a policy
(510.04) explicitly banning any form of
sexual harassment, including harassment
based on sexual orientation.

“UCFV recognizes and supports
diversity in many forms,” said President
Skip Bassford, “The establishment of the
Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Network at
UCFV reinforces our commitment to
greater understanding and mutual respect
among all people.”

The group also has the support of
Student Services, the Human Rights and
Conflict Resolution office, and the Student
Union Society at UCFV. —

British Columbia post-secondary
institutions which already have groups

devoted specifically to the issues of gay

men, lesbian women, and bisexual people .

(GLBs) include all of the universities:
SFU, UBC; UVIC, andJUNBC. Colleges
and University Colleges that have similar

"groups include: Okanagan, Douglas,

Capilano, and Langara. “We believe |

-strongly that itis time UCFV joins this.

group of post-secondary institutions,”
said Curtis Magnuson, Social Services
and Social Work instructor.

The group has met twice already and
the next meeting is scheduled for
November 12, 4-5:30 PM, B202,
Abbotsford campus.

“We are hoping that all members of
the UCFV community who support this
initiative will join with us and get
involved,” said Magnuson. “Although we
do not yet have a name or established
membership criteria, we are clear about
our desire to include gay men, lesbian -
women, bisexual people, and their allies
in the activities of the Network.”

One of the first ways the group plans
to “come out” to the UCFV and local
community is by hosting a short film
series pertaining to gay and lesbian
issues, November 18th, 25th, and.
December 2, 7 PM, B101, Lecture Hall,
Abbotsford campus. Admission is free.

“We will be screening three films,
begining with the The Celluloid Closet on
November 18th, Forbidden Love on the
25th, and in support of World Aids Day,
Long Time Companion on December 2,”
said Martha Dow, Head of Criminal
Justice department.

For more information about the
activities of the network or the film series,
contact Curtis at 4772 or Martha at 4628.

* «Mission Statement & Values”,
University College of the Fraser Valley
Calendar 1998/99, p. I.

Writing Centre to the Rescue

Representatives from UCFV (Dick Bate,
Yvon Dandurand, Martha Dow,
Georgina Marshal, Ted Dunlop, and
Sheila Edwards) and the Ministry of
Child, Youth and Family (Bruce Morgan
and Les Boon) have been meeting to
prepare a proposal for a Child, Youth and
Family Development Centre. As part of
the process of preparing the proposal for

discussion with the community
stakeholders, the committee asked the
Writing centre staff to review and then
create a “plain language” version of the
proposal.

The Writing centre staff weeded out
jargon, clarified objectives and helped the
group focus their goals. The project
committee extends their thanks.

Headlines/November 4, 1998

UCFV 1998/99 United Way
Campaign Update

The 1998/99 United Way campaign is well
under way at UCFV. “As of Oct. 23, we
were about a quarter of the way to reaching

-our goal, ” says Jo-anne Trevelyan, one of

this year’s campaign organizers.

And that is just counting staff
contributions. “Faculty members received
pledge forms in their pay cheques Oct. 30,
so their donations have not been included
yet.”
That total does not include proceeds
from the pancake breakfasts held on each
campus Oct. 29 either. Joanne is optimistic
that this year’s target of $20, 000 is still
within reach.

For those who have not donated yet,
you can give on the payroll deduction plan —
or through a one-time, lump sum
contribution. Your donation can be
directed to a specific charity or
community. Remember to fill out your
pledge forms and hand them in to
Employee Relations before November 30.
You could even win a prize for
participating in this year’s campaign!

Brent Neumann, of Co-op Ed, has been
collecting prizes from a variety of sponsors
including Theatre tickets, dance tickets,
framed prints, Safeway and Red Robin gift
certificates.

Carol Hardy, of Facilties, who is also
the chair for the United Way of the Fraser

Valley Board, says “UCFV’s contribution

to the overall campaign will be greatly
appreciated.”

~~

—

20,000

-15,000

10,000

5,000