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  • LEEP Initiative

    • LGBT Resources
    • SAFE ZONE Education
    • Ally Training
    • Advanced Dialogues
    • Campus Engagement
    • Programming
    • LEEP Committee
    • UTD Allies
    • Calendar
  • Women's Faculty Network
  • Women's Staff Network
  • GWC Scholarship
  • Women +40
  • Gender Studies Lecture Series
  • SAWS

Message from the President

Dear Colleagues,

The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to providing an open-minded and safe
environment, in which members of our campus community can study, live and work in an atmosphere of respect and support.

Toward that goal, the university is offering an opportunity to take part in the SAFE ZONE Project. SAFE ZONE supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered students, faculty and staff by providing a voluntary training program for all individuals who commit to helping shape an open and accepting campus culture.

I encourage you to learn more about this opportunity to take part in building and maintaining a supportive, collegial and respectful atmosphere at UT Dallas.

Dr. David E. Daniel, President

 

SAFE ZONE as Part of UTD

SAFE ZONE was conceived by the GWC, Student Counseling Center, and Multicultural Center and as a need to build helpful resources for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning) students, staff, and faculty was identified. It was also developed to be consistent with UTD's nondiscrimination policy.

SAFE ZONE is a national concept in which safe spaces are identified and marked with a symbol unique to each campus. Our original SAFE ZONE logo was developed by Sumaiya Mehreen, a UTD student, who filled it with colors to represent UTD's diversity. To better represent the vision of the program and to make it more easily identifiable to the LGBTQ community, the logo was redesigned by Tara Riall, Academic Advisor in the Arts and Technology program. It also represents growth, exploration, and realizing goals as important parts of our lives.

By displaying the SAFE ZONE logo on a department door, office or desk, LGBTQ and heterosexual Allies, friends, and family show that they value a diverse campus community, free of judgment, harassment, or discrimination. It also highlights their willingness to foster a safe place for others, and their commitment to offer support, resources, and guidance.

 

SAFE ZONE Goals

• Raise awareness of LGBTQ communities and cultures

• Promote respect for LGBTQ individuals at UT Dallas

• Create safe spaces for LGBTQ students, staff, and faculty

• Establish dialogues about sexuality, gender, race and socio-economic status

• Train Allies to productively engage people with different perspectives and backgrounds

• Educate Allies to identify and/or interrupt homo/transphobia

 

How to Participate

The SAFE ZONE program is not just a few select departments but a movement within the total campus community. Individuals, departments, offices, and student groups can all play important roles in SAFE ZONE as this project is a commitment to ALL students, faculty, staff, and the community. You recognize that a diversity-rich environment, free from discrimination and harmful "-isms" is empowering.

You can be part of this movement by attending Ally Training and becoming a SAFE ZONE Ally. Choosing to be an Ally is an opportunity to encourage growth in yourself and others. It is a chance to make a significant difference in the campus environment and in the lives of individuals. To learn more about Ally Training, click here.