Following the success of the Safe Zone workshops held for students in the fall, SPECTRUM will be hosting Safe Zone meetings for faculty and staff March 5 in Carter Hall from 9 a.m. to noon.

Stephanie Young, assistant professor of communications studies, will be leading the workshops alongside Amie McKibban, assistant professor of psychology.

The purpose of these Safe Zone meetings will be to create a heightened sense of awareness on issues that surround the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

Faculty and staff members enrolled in the workshop will have the opportunity to become an ally.

“The job of an ally is to support and especially be a safe zone or a safe person for an LGBT community member,” Young said.

An ally is a supportive and educated member of the community who shares what they have learned by having conversations with others.

Safe Zone members will be an outlet for those members of the LGBT community who are struggling.

Those who make it through the workshop will be given buttons with the safe zone symbol (a pink triangle in a green circle).

In the press release, McKibban said a safe zone member displaying the symbol is someone who will be understanding, trustworthy and supportive.

“An ally won’t tolerate homophobic and hetero-sexist comments and actions, and will be familiar with terminology and resources in the local area,” she said.

Issues that will be called to attention in the workshop include dealing with issues in class, using examples of gay/lesbian to ‘normalize’ the classroom curriculum and how to help professors conform and incorporate these ideas into the classroom.

Jazayn Gideon, the president of SPECTRUM, said she’s excited for the possible positive outcomes these workshops have the potential to create.

“USI is very conservative, very prejudice against the LGBT community. I think Safe Zone will open up the university’s eyes,” Gideon said. “A lot of people I know that were considering USI didn’t come because of that. I think this will create a more friendly LGBT campus.”

Last fall’s workshop resulted in 62 Safe Zone-trained USI students.

This spring, there are 75 available spots open for the faculty and staff.

While Young admitted to not knowing exactly how many faculty and staff were already enrolled, she said she was sure that all of the spots would be filled by the first meeting.

Gideon has seen similar eagerness among students.

“The student Safe Zone workshop went well. I got a lot of calls and e-mails from students asking how they can get involved and if there were still spots available,” Gideon said. “It was a big success. We’re getting more funding and we’re going to try and keep hosting Safe Zone workshops.”