LGBTU dorm request lost

The proposal for an LGBT theme hall is missing in action

During this time of housing shortage it seems silly to think about creating another program house. Nonetheless, it is commons student opinion that all proposals should be given voice and it seems that the proposal for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Ally program house has dissapeared.

Presented to the Housing and Dining committee in March of this year, the proposal would create 20 beds for the program. The program, had it gone through, would have been in a pilot stage this year.

The proposal was passed unanimously through Housing and Dinning March 1. Committee Chair Sandra Hougland in a cover letter to Deborah McNish, then interim dean of students, said, "It is our assumption that the proposal would next go to the Student Life Committee for discussion and approval."

Although the proposal did make it to SLC, no formal vote was taken. Why no formal decision was made is unclear, although a review of the program houses may have been the cause.

"It's clearly my responsiblity to find out where it got stalled and to see that it gets unstuck," said Peter Goldsmith, dean of students.

The proposal, written by senior Alexis Eastman, got support last year from Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Union. According to the minutes of the March 1 meeting of Housing and Dining, LGBTU had a commitment from 30-35 students to live in the space. This would guarantee that the 20 beds they requested would be filled. However, there were concerns that the spaces would not be filled.

"No one was sure how many people would commit to it," said Chris Anton, who was a student senator of the time.

Currently the proposal is not receiving any attention but could resurface in the first SLC meeting of the year.