Faculty can now display a specific sticker in a visible spot to indicate a Safe Zone where students will not experience discrimination and can receive resources through a new program introduced in the spring of 2021 by the Diversity and Student Engagement Center.
“I think it’s a great thing that Winthrop has implemented this program,” said Morgan Alexander, a former Winthrop student and current video coordinator for the Winthrop women’s basketball team. “It’s such a breath of fresh air to know that there are safe spaces at Winthrop for everyone that comes to the college.”
According to the Diversity and Student Engagement Center webpage, the program “is designed to increase understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues and to provide identified safe zones for everyone,” and to “educate the Winthrop community on issues and concerns of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies, while fostering a supportive and accepting academic and personal atmosphere for all students, faculty, and staff.”
These Safe Zones can be identified by a sticker that is displayed on a faculty member’s desk, door or other location with which the faculty member is comfortable. The sticker says “Winthrop University Safe Zone” and is encircled with the corresponding colors of the LGBTQ community.
Faculty who are interested in being an ally and having this sticker to display are required to attend a formal orientation where they will learn how to address situations involving the LQBTQIA+ community, while also raising awareness of “the stages of identity development in the community and how that development impacts behavior,” according to the Safe Zones webpage.
Jo Koster, professor of English and an LGBTQ ally, has gone through the Safe Zones training twice since it was first implemented 10 years ago and is in the process of getting the new Safe Zones sticker.
“I’m a big supporter of the Safe Zones program and hope that we will see many, many of these stickers across campus as we return to our in-person community,” Koster said. “It’s important to me to be the most effective ally I can be, and I want students to know that [my office] is a safe space for them.”
Those who participate in the orientation are expected to “speak out against violence and harassment, respect all people, to listen, and to supply resources to students,” according to the Safe Zones webpage. Faculty should also be prepared for students to be less self-censored as they may feel more comfortable knowing they will not experience discrimination or judgment.
“I have a sticker on my door and love the movement,” Dr. Casey Cothran, chair of the English department, said.
Students and faculty can find information on the Safe Zones’ goals and purpose on the Diversity and Student Engagement Center’s webpage on Winthrop University’s website. Questions and concerns can be directed to Kinyata Adams Brown, the Assistant Dean of Diversity and Student Engagement, Inclusive Excellence, at safezones@winthrop.edu.
“I hope one day we won’t need programs like this,” Koster said. “Your generation is making a real difference in acceptance, and I hope it continues.”
