Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / April 17, 1997, edition 1 / Page 7
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All-Gay Housing Option Offered to UMass Students Cindy Sher The Daily Northwestern Chris Savastano faced hous ing problems that most students at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Mass., never have to deal with. When students in his dorm dis covered he was gay, they tampered with his mail, broke into his room and even threatened his life. When Savastano heard about “2 in 20,” a floor of all gay, lesbian and bisexual students and their het erosexual allies, he signed up im mediately. The first successful program of its kind, 2 in 20 works to end homophobia and to provide a sup portive environment for gay, les bian, bisexual and transgender stu dents. “When you’re first coming out, it’s nice and reaffirming,” Savastano, a junior said. “You’re not alone and isolated. It’s exactly what other people are going through.” Students asked the housing administration to initiate the floor in 1992 after many had faced prob lems similar to Savastono’s. “It provides a sense of support and comfort in a society that doesn ’ t always provide that to them,” said Michael Gilbert, the director hous ing services at UMass. The floor began with 10 resi dents and has grown each year. It now has 33 residents and may ex pand to another floor this fall. The name 2 in 20 refers to sex researcher Alfred C. Kinsey ’ s claim that one in 10 people are gay. Resi dents preferred the name 2 in 20 because “one in 10 sounds lonely,” said the floor’s resident assistant Donnie Roberts in an article in The Chronicle of Higher Education on February 21. Located on the fourth level of the Mary Lyon dormitory, the floor also provides unique programming for its students. Residents have a drag ball each semester in addition to an open house for university faculty, staff and students to learn about 2 in 20. The floor also has a Response Room, otherwise known as a “safe room,” which is available to any student living in university hous ing who is being harassed because of his or her sexual orientation. The student may use the “safe room” as a temporary housing as signment. “We adapt our programming to be quite specific,” said Julie Robbins, residence director of the floor, which has the same housing fees as other dorms at UMass. “Whereas they might have a pro gram on ‘Homophobia 101’ at an other dorm, they might have ‘Rac ism Within the Gay Community’ here.” Near the holidays, the floor plans programs to help residents cope with going home, which can be stressful for students who may be at the beginning stages of the coming-out process. Although resident assistants say that the majority of the univer sity appears to support 2 in 20, there are members of the commu nity who say they disapprove of it. “This university claims to pro mote diversity,” said Paul Ferro, the treasurer and former president of the Republican Club at UMass. “You are supposed to have contact with people who are not like you.” Ferro said he doesn’t think it is right that gay couples can live to gether while heterosexual couples cannot. At Northwestern University in Evanston, 111., an all-gay floor isn’t necessary, said Danny Nolan, a sophomore and the acting co-presi- derit of the Bisexual, Gay and Les bian Alliance. If problems arise, Nolan said he would encourage students to first confront the administration. “When you have to segregate to form a community, that’s a good signs that things are wrong,” he said. Savastano, though, said living in 2 in 20 has helped him fulfill his main purpose for attending college: to get an education. “We can concentrate on being students,” he said. “That’s why we’re here and paying money.” CHARLIE'S GREAT SANDWICHES Exclusive sponsor of Elon Soccer! Try the hot dog voted best in Alamance County by Times News Readers Survey Don't Shop at Food Lion Hungry? Grab a fast & delicious hot dog at Charlie's before you shop §peciaC FRIDAY & SATURDAY FTER5P.M. 2 CHEESE URGERSFORS Show Student ID & get 10% off (regular menu prices) Westbrook Shopping Center next to Food Lion 11a.m. -9p.m. M-Sat 12-9 p.m. Sun 584-7883 The Pendulum 0/z/m^:www.elon.edu/user/o/pendulum Elon Security Ready For De Klerk Visit Jeff Wirick Editor-in-Chief Elon Campus Police Chief Joe Taylor said he remembers former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s visit to Elon as alert, but enjoyable. Despite several alleged bomb threats, Taylor said it was business as usual. “It was very enjoyable. Mrs. Thatcher was a real nice lady,” he said. Security for former South Af rican President F.W, de Klerk should be the same, if not a little more low profile, said Chuck Gantos, director of campus secu rity and safety. “I don’t anticipate any prob lems. He is not a controversial fig ure,” Gantos said. “We’ll provide the best security we can provide.” Students shouldn’t experience any lack of freedom because of de Klerk’s visit. “I don’t see any inconvenience at all for the students,” said Gantos, whose department will team up with police from the Town of Elon Col lege and the city of Burlington. “There’s been a lot of planning and preparation that have gone into his visit. And we want it to be a successful one. We want him to have as much freedom as possible.” Gantos wasn’t a member of the Elon security department dur ing Thatcher’s April, 1995, visit. But Taylor said he remembers that special precautions had to be taken due to alleged bomb threats! “I think we will be as prepared for de Klerk as we were Thatcher,” said Provost Gerald Francis, whose office is in charge of the de Klerk question and answer session for students on Monday at 4:30. “You know Thatcher’s concerns were the IRA (an Irish terrorist group). This could be from anyone who has dis agreed with apartheid. And many folks have disagreed.” Taylor said the threat was there during Thatcher’s visit, but noth ing materialized. “We took some extraordinary precautions that day as far as check ing the buildings for explosive de vices,” he recalled. “We were strict on monitoring some entrances and exits. And there was also the threat of a protest. But it was pretty routine.’’And security hopes for much of the same come Monday. 3/4 Carat excellent quality diamond for sale. Appraised at $5,000. Make an offer. 226-8608 $1,500 weekly potential mailing our circulars. No experience required. Begin now. For info call: 301-429-1326 Job Opening Admissions Counselor The Elon College Office of Admissions & Financial Planning Announces an opening for an Admissions Counselor beginning June 2,1997 QUALIFICATIONS: ►Highly motivated, self starter •Excellent communication skills •Excellent organization skills •Articulate •OUTGOING •Able to meet new people with ease •Capable of functioning independently within the framework of a strong team •A graduate with a B.A. or B.S. degree Duties inglude planning and implementing travel and other recruiting activities, including 10-12 weeks of travel in the Fall and 4-6 weeks in the Spring. Travel activities include college/ night program, private high school visits, receptions in the area of prospective students and their families, assisting with special events and planning and conducting research and follow-up activities. Applications should be submitted before May 5,1997. To apply, submit a resume, letter of application and the names and addresses of three references to; Mr. Trey Stewart Associate Director of Admissions 2700 Campus Box Elon College, NC 27244-2010
Elon University Student Newspaper
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April 17, 1997, edition 1
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