Presentation By : Matthew A. Shrader

1. How to Work With Your College Administration to Affect Positive Change Presentation By: Matthew A. Shrader

2. Step #1: Identify a Problem or Issue • Too few or non-existent gender neutral bathrooms (GNB) on campus. • LGBTQ demographic questions not asked upon admission or registration. • Violations of campus anti-discrimination policy. • College Foundation does not have an LGBTQ scholarship.

3. Identify a Problem: GNB

4. Identify a Problem: LGBTQ Demographics • To give resources there has to be data to justify the distribution of goods. • Without admission or registration questions there cannot be data. • So without admission or registration questions, services or goods cannot be distributed.

5. Identify a Problem: MSM Blood Donation Ban • South Puget Sound Community College is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education and employment. The College does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of… gender, sexual orientation…All employees and students must be allowed to work and learn in an environment free from discrimination. • What is FDA's policy on blood donations from men who have sex with other men (MSM)?“Men who have had sex with other men, at any time since 1977 (the beginning of the AIDS epidemic in the United States) are currently deferred as blood donors.” • SPSCC hosts blood drives on campus, even though there is a conflict between SPSCC’s stated values and the FDA’s policy. * Sources: SPSCC, U.S. Food and Drug Administration

6. Identify a Problem: LGBTQ & Ally Scholarship • During the 2009-2010 school year, the South Puget Sound Community College Foundation awarded around 300 scholarships which added up to over $315,000. Not a single scholarship was specifically for LGBTQ or ally students. • Many colleges and universities across the country have LGBTQ scholarships (UCLA, Hofstra, Iowa State, & Penn State to name a few). Why not SPSCC?

7. Step #2: Do Your Homework Know your topic inside & out! • Research • Peer reviewed journals • Non-profit or government websites • Media sources • Interviews • Campus staff • Government employees • What is missing? • What data or evidence does not exist?

8. Homework: GNB • Research • Data about number of restrooms, students, and acres of the campus. • Online media resources about students being targeted in restrooms. • Interviews • Student Senate • What is missing? • Legitimate justification for an unequal distribution of goods. • Institutional commitment to marginalized students.

9. Homework: LGBTQ Demographics • Research • Frequent victims of violence, harassment, & discrimination (Lambda Legal). • 12th Graders in Washington State that are harassed based on perceived sexual orientation are (Washington State Healthy Teen Survey 2010): • 4.8 times more likely to have attempted suicide. • 7.4 times more likely to miss school because they feel unsafe. • 15.8% more likely to underperform academically. • Interviews • Institutional Researcher • Dean of Enrollment Services • Dean of Student Life • Director of Diversity & Equity • Vice President for Student Services • Policy Associate with the State Board • Legislative contacts • What is missing? • No data from any U.S. college exists at this time!

10. Homework: MSM Ban • Research • Literature from the Puget Sound Blood Center talking about the MSM ban and how it is a FDA policy (Puget Sound Blood Center). • History of the MSM ban (FDA). • Interviews • Donor Representative with the Puget Sound Blood Center. • What is missing? • Accurate scientific evidence and theory.

11. Homework: LGBTQ & Ally Scholarship • Research • Other colleges and universities have LGBTQ specific scholarships (HRC database). • Interviews • Executive Director of the SPSCC College Foundation. • What is missing? • An understanding of LGBTQ specific financial challenges.

12. Step #3: Identify the Ideal Solution • Use the research, interviews, and your common sense to fully evaluate possible solutions. • Remember all people or groups who are stake holders in your proposal. Their interests need to be taken into account. • Never fly solo! Friends, family, co-workers, professors, and fellow students have important insight and opinions, and can be a great source of support.

13. Solution: GNB • Petition for additional bathrooms • Students • Staff • Faculty • Resolution showing the Student Senate’s support • Go to college administration with plenty of support for our request

14. Solution: LGBTQ Demographics State Board May 28th & 29th, State Board Office in Olympia

15. Solution: MSM Ban • Circulate a petition on campus and in the local community • To educate people about the ban on MSM blood donation. • To let people show their support of MSM blood donation. • Work with local blood bank • To have good relations with the local blood bank and still promote blood donation, thus keeping a positive outlook on the campaign. • Send petition to the FDA • Loud and clear message of popular support directed at decision makers at the FDA.

16. Solution: LGBTQ & Ally Scholarship • Work with College Foundation to establish criteria for scholarship • Not based on financial need. • Not based on academic performance. • Based only on being a SPSCC student & commitment to the LGBTQ community. • Work with College Foundation to brainstorm fundraising ideas and goals • All proceeds of annual QSA drag show benefit scholarship. • Fundraiser at local LGBTQ owned restaurant. • Causes.com.

17. Step #4: Follow Through with a Plan of Action • Be organized and prepared. • Professionalism gives you an instant edge. • Be able to answer questions about your topic. • Get buy-in! • Do not fly solo! Have a support network. • Never dictate how things will be. • Stay the course. • Things are accomplished by persistence. • Do not flip-flop.

18. Action Plan: GNB

19. Action Plan: LGBTQ Demographics • Got platform on 2011 White Paper. • Formed a coalition of student government leaders. • Presented to CUSP and gained a letter of support. • Presented to MSSDC and gained a letter of support. • Presented to ARC and gained a promise for a letter of support. • Presented to WSSSC, which formed a task force to finalize implementation. • Currently serving on WSSSC task force.

20. Action Plan: MSM Ban • Students, staff, & faculty signed the petition showing support for sensible and just policy in blood donation. • The Student Senate passed a resolution in support of this student movement, and sent the resolution and signed petitions to the FDA. • The FDA sent a formal response, stating that they support their policy.

21. Action Plan: LGBTQ & Ally Scholarship • Obtained examples of wording in existing LGBTQ scholarships, and established award parameters to best serve the needs of students. • Planned and conducted fundraising events: • 2nd Annual SPSCC QSA Drag Show $720 • Pay What You Can at New Moon Café $500 • Causes.com $30 • Discussed the future of the scholarship with the College Foundation.

22. QUESTIONS?