Westminster University - Utah
PA-4: Diversity and Equity Coordination

Westminster’s Diversity & International Center serves as the central resource for community building, educational programming, and support services for First Generation College Students, International Students, LGBTQ Students, Students of Color, and Allies. We also provide comprehensive advisory services for our international students and scholars (F and J visas), as well as information and advising about study abroad options.

The 2010-2011 Bastian Foundation Diversity Lecture Series as Westminster College is sponsored by the B.W. Bastian Foundation. The foundation, established in 1996 by Bruce Bastian, strives to build community and understanding by supporting local and national institutions. Financial support is directed at educational outreach, cultural, and HIV/AIDS programs. A strong commitment is placed on programs and organizations that benefit, encourage, and preserve the rights of individuals and promote equality for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. Westminster Allies Coalition An ally is a member of a dominant group who works to eradicate isms s/he does not experience in the negative.** Given the broad range of societal isms—racism, classism, sexism, heterosexism, ageism, ableism, etc., most of us can be allies. This program is set up for faculty, staff, and students to consider what it means to be an ally, how to be one in our various roles on campus. What is the Allies Program? This program is for faculty, staff, and students who wish to (1) consider, know, and learn what it means to be an ally and (2) be allies one in our various roles on campus. What are some of the Allies Program Goals? * To educate/raise awareness about the role and significance of allies. o What is an ally? o What makes for a good ally? o What might “trip up” an ally? o What forms of privilege exist? What privileges (if any) do you have? * To encourage and motivate members of the Westminster community to actively take on the responsibility & role of “ally.” * To what groups could you be an ally? * In what ways might you be an effective ally? * To recognize (honor) specific people as “Westminster Allies” for the important contributions they make in their role as allies. Of course, this last part is tricky, because being an ally is not about “being recognized” for it. · To “revive” the Westminster Safe Zone sticker (or other visible symbol) program, but with the added element of clarifying what being an ally means and entails…so that we live, teach, and learn what the sticker/symbol says. What is the Allies Coalition? A group of active allies who take on the responsibilities of being allies and do the work of the Allies Program. If you would like to join, please sign up here or in the Diversity & International Center (Lower Level, Shaw). **Definition adapted from “Interrupting the Cycle of Oppression” by Ayvazian in Race, Class, and Gender in the US, 5th ed. Rothenberg, Ed. Worth Publishers 2001.