APPENDIX I: CHARGE TO THE TASK FORCE AND THE LIST OF TASK FORCE MEMBERS
Charge to the Task Force - March 28, 2003
For over a decade, the University has been
known as a national leader for practices and policies that protect
and support lesbian,
gay, and
bisexual members of the University community. Many of these policies
and practices have been implemented in response to earlier reports
and recommendations, beginning in the early 1990’s.
Since then, awareness and understanding of gender identity issues have
increased significantly, particularly with respect to individuals who
identify themselves as transgender or who are questioning their gender
identity. Of special note is the work of the Office of the Vice President
for Student Affairs’ Gender Identity Working Group, created in
April 2002. Although this group has focused on student concerns, much
of what it has learned is also relevant to faculty and staff. Based
on the discussion and work of this group and others, questions have
arisen as to whether all members of the University community are sufficiently
protected and supported as members of the community.
Therefore, after consultation with President Coleman and Vice President
for Student Affairs E. Royster Harper, I am convening a Task Force
on the Campus Climate for Transgender, Bisexual, Lesbian, and Gay (TBLG)
Faculty, Staff, and Students. I expect the Task Force to draw upon
the work of various TBLG offices and groups on campus, including Vice
President Harper and her office’s Gender Identity Working Group,
the Office of LGBT Affairs, the Michigan Student Assembly LGBT Commission,
TBLG groups in the Schools and Colleges, and other TBLG groups. As
appropriate, the Task Force may choose to organize working groups that
include members who are not themselves members of the Task Force.
TASK FORCE CHARGE
| 1. |
Examine the impact of the changes made since earlier
reports and recommendations on the lives of transgender, bisexual,
lesbian, and gay members of our community.
|
| 2. |
Revisit these recommendations and consider whether additional
steps are needed.
|
| 3. |
Take advantage of existing data on the University climate for
TBLG people and engage in or recommend additional data collection,
within reason and as needed. |
| 4. |
Gather information about relevant practices and
policy at peer institutions and in the private sector to inform
the Task Force’s
development of recommendations for the University. |
| 5. |
Review University policies and practices to ensure that all transgender,
bisexual, lesbian, and gay members of the University community
are supported and are protected from discrimination, harassment,
and assault, and make recommendations accordingly. |
| 6. |
Develop a set of prioritized recommendations to improve the climate
for TBLG students, faculty, and staff at the University of Michigan. |
| 7. |
Develop a set of principles to guide the University’s
interactions with organizations that for various reasons may
not share its views
on TBLG matters. |
| 8. |
Present findings and recommendations to the Provost and Executive
Vice President for Academic Affairs, who will share this information
in turn with the President, the other Vice Presidents, and other
University leaders and who will then develop an action plan in
conjunction with them. |
| 9. |
Consider and report on ways the members of the Task Force can
serve as an on-going campus resource. |
| 10. |
Make recommendations to ensure continuing attention to University
policies and practices with regard to its TBLG members beyond the
work of the Task Force. |
— Paul N. Courant, Provost and Executive
Vice President for Academic Affairs
List of Task Force Members
Bruce
Frier (Chair), Professor
Law School and Classical Studies |
Stephen Rassi, Doctoral
Student
Social Work and Psychology |
| Derrick Anderson,
UM Alumnus |
P.J. Two Ravens, Clinical Social
Worker
Internal Medicine – Infectious Diseases |
Benjamin Conway, Student
College of Literature, Science & the Arts |
Martha Vicinus, Professor
English Language & Literature Department |
Lynn Conway, Professor
Emerita
College of Engineering |
Ed Willis, Dean of Students
Office of the Dean of Students |
Glenda Haskell, Assistant
Provost
Office of the Provost |
SPECIAL CONSULTANT
Jim Toy
Institutional Equity, University Human Resources |
Bob Levy, Rabbi
Temple Beth Emeth, Ann Arbor |
|
Jennifer Lyle, Doctoral Student
Social Work and Social Science |
|
|
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