- WSU LGBTQ+ Alliance
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LGBTQ+ Alliance provides students at WSU and within the community with a forum for the issues relating to sexual orientation and sexuality and provides a place to socialize and plan campus programs. Members of LGBTQ+ Alliance aim to encourage understanding and acceptance of members of the LGBTQ+ community.
- Health Services
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Health Services is a confidential, on-campus resource that provides students with accessible, convenient, and affordable health care. Clinical staff includes nurse practitioners and physicians from the UMass Medical/UMass Memorial Health System working in affiliation with Worcester State University. Health Services provides a safe, caring environment for LGBTQ+ students. The staff is committed to addressing the health needs of LGBTQ+ students. Services include: support, medical care and community referral.
Examples of care include:
- Chest/breast exam
- Pelvic exam and pap test/cancer screening
- Testicular/genital exams
- Sexually transmitted infection screening and treatment
- Sexual health counseling
- Laboratory hormone checks
- Care coordination, including referrals for gender-affirming care
As a confidential resource, Health Services utilizes a separate system to collect student demographics. In this system, students have the option to note their chosen name and pronouns. The student’s legal name will be utilized on the medical record.
Students can access a list of community based LGBTQ+ Health Resources on the Health Services webpage.
- Counseling Services
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The Counseling Center is a confidential, on-campus resource that assists students in coping with personal issues that interfere with their personal and academic development and sense of well-being. LGBTQ+ students may face stressors that differ from those of their peers. Counselors are available to treat a wide-variety of LGBTQ+ student concerns, including:
- Anxiety or depression
- Communicating identity or gender to others
- Establishing safety and support networks
- Healing from trauma which has resulted from expressed or assumed gender identity, gender expression, or sexuality
- Navigating sexual health and healthy relationships
- Referrals for additional treatment or services
Following intake paperwork and an initial evaluation, counselors will work with LGBTQ+ students to assess the level of services the student needs. This may include weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly appointments, as well as referrals to community resources.
As a confidential resource, the Counseling Center utilizes a separate data system to collect student demographics. In this system, students have the option to note their chosen name and pronouns. The Counseling Center will utilize a student’s chosen name except for when their legal name is required on legal documents.
The Counseling Center provides services to fully matriculated, undergraduate students and is located on the third floor of the Student Center. To make a counseling appointment, please call 508-929-8072, or you may email the Counseling Center at counseling_wsu@worcester.edu.
- Chosen Name and Pronoun Policy
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Starting in Fall 2019, students, faculty, and staff have the option of indicating a chosen name, personal pronouns, and gender identity. Please see the policy for more information.
- Single-Use Restrooms on Campus
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Worcester State University encourages students, faculty, and staff to use the restroom they feel most comfortable using. Single-use restrooms are also available throughout campus.
| Building | Location | Notes |
|---|
| Administration Building | Floors 1, 2, 3 | Single-use gendered restrooms |
| Administration Building | Floor 4 | Single-use gender-inclusive |
| Dowden Hall | Two on 1st floor, rooms 1141, 1142 | Open to the public |
| Dowden Hall | Two on basement level, rooms 1007, 1008 | Open to staff only |
| LRC | 1st floor, room 123 | Open to the public |
| Sheehan Hall | 2nd floor, room 213 | For Sheehan Hall residents only |
| Sheehan Hall | 1st floor, room 104 | Open to the public |
| Wasylean Hall | Two on 1st floor, rooms 106, 108 | Open to the public |
| Wellness Center | 2nd floor, room 209 | Both restroom and shower facility, open to the public |
- Gender-Inclusive Housing Policy
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Worcester State University offers gender-inclusive housing for students. Please see the Residence Life FAQs for more information.
- Safe Space Offices
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The following faculty and staff have participated in Safe Space Training and are a resource for LGBTQ+ students seeking a safe space to talk.
| Name | Title | Office | Building | Room Number |
|---|
| Elena Arranz Alonso | Non-Matriculated& Adult Student Advisor | Graduate and Continuing Education | Administration | 408 |
| Matt Bejune | Executive Director | Library | Learning Resources Center | 206-B |
| Dean Bowen | Assistant Director | Athletics | Wellness Center | 105 |
| Alex Briesacher | Assistant Professor | Sociology | May St | 203 |
| Tiana Carrisquillo | Associate Director | Admissions | Administration | 248 |
| Adrian Gage | Assistant Dean | Student Affairs/Residence Life | Sheehan Hall | 101 |
| Vicki Gruzynski | Assistant Librarian | Library | Learning Resources Center | 212 |
| Leah Guzman | Program Coordinator | Intensive English Language Institute | Administration | 412-A |
| Joshua Katz | Coordinator | Student Conduct | Student Center | 339 |
| Julie Kazarian | Dean | Student Affairs | Student Center | 344 |
| Thomas Kelley | Director | Retention | Administration | 159 |
| Sandra LaCroix | Clerk | Criminal Justice | Learning Resources Center | 120 |
| Stacey Luster | Assistant Vice President | Human Resources, Payroll, AAEO | Administration | 335 |
| Susan Moore | Director | Human Resources | Administration | 313 |
| Alison Okuda | Assistant Professor | History and Political Science | Sullivan Academic Center | 327-O |
| Sarah Potrikus | Assistant Director | Student Involvement | Student Center | 207 |
| Kathleen Rogan | Staff Assistant | Enrollment Management | Administration | 159 |
| Sarah Strout | Assistant Vice President | Institutional Assessment and Planning | Administration | 355 |
| Henry Theriault | Associate Vice President | Academic Affairs | Administration | 361 |
| Sarah Valois | Counselor | Counseling Services | Student Center | 325 |
| Francisco Vivoni | Assistant Professor | Sociology | May St | 205 |
| Jason White | Staff Associate | University Police/Parking & Transportation | Wasylean Hall | 102-D |
| Lois Wims | Provost and Vice President | Academic Affairs | Administration | 365 |
- LGBTQ+ Courses
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The following courses incorporate LGBTQ+ content:
CM-350 Intercultural Communication:
Introductory communication theory and practice across cultural groups defined by race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, nationality, politics, and economics.
HE-230 Human Sexuality and Sex Education:
Focus on the need for and understanding of sex education, along with the process of implementing sexuality education, with emphasis upon teacher preparation.
PH-254 Feminist Theory:
Examines the development of feminist ideas and movements from the 18th century to the present, in the US and, particularly in recent decades, globally. A close analysis of Second Wave, Postmodern, and Black Feminist ideas are studied as a basis for writings and social action that attends to issues of race, class, gender, and sexuality, using intersectional methodologies and critiques to address issues of reproduction and health, labor and economic power, violence, and state power.
UR-280 The Queer City:
This course is an introduction to the study of same-sex sexualities, their meanings and social organizations, across cultures and through time. The materials for the course are drawn from an array of disciplines, from biology to history, but center upon cultural and urban anthropology. Students will learn to think critically about the role of culture and society in the construction of genders and sexualities worldwide with an emphasis on urban contexts.
- Title IX Policies
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Worcester State University is committed to providing a safe learning environment for all students that is free from all forms of discrimination and sexual harassment, including sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, gender-based discrimination, and stalking. Worcester State University prohibits discrimination against any individual based on sex, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation, and is committed to protecting people of all gender and sexual identities from harassment and discrimination as expressed in our university policies (Equal Opportunity, Diversity and Affirmative Action Plan).
If you have experienced any form of sexual violence or discrimination based on sex, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation, please contact the Director of Title IX, Jennifer Quinn to report the incident and receive any support and guidance that may be needed.
More resources can be found on the Title IX page.
- Bias Incident Response Team
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The Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT) is responsible for providing a comprehensive approach to addressing incidents of bias that challenge the university’s mission, core values, civility policies, Policy Against Discrimination, Discriminatory Harassment and Retaliation, and efforts toward improving campus climate. BIRT is comprised of faculty, staff, and students who represent various divisions, departments, and disciplines and are committed to creating a safe and welcoming campus environment.
Bias Incidents
Any conduct, speech, or expression that is directed against or toward an individual or group based on perceived or actual characteristics of race, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status. These acts are primarily motivated by prejudice or hatred that demeans and/or harasses others based upon their membership in a protected category.
All members of the WSU community who experience or witness a bias incident should immediately report the incident via the Bias Incident Reporting. All reports of bias incidents are directed to the EO Officer and/or their designee(s) and then taken to the BIRT.
- LGBTQ+ Resource Center
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The LGBTQ+ Resource Center is an on-campus, safe space dedicated to advocating for the needs of LGBTQ+ students and their allies. The resource room works directly with the LGBTQ+ Alliance to encourage understanding and acceptance of community members both on campus and within the larger community. The center is located in Student Affairs, room C-336.