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In the past two years, 90 faculty and staff have participated in ��ʮ��’s “Safe Zone” training, an initiative developed by the University’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) and the Diversity Action Group (DAG). 

The program’s goal is to ensure faculty and staff are prepared to serve as role models for inclusivity for Dominican’s students.

Participants include faculty and staff from across the university, including the offices of admissions, business services, and human resources. Student residence assistants (RAs) were also trained last year.

“Safe Zone training has impacted our campus on both an individual and organizational level,” says Stacy Poe, executive director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Dominican. “Faculty, staff and students have developed a greater awareness of the LGBTQ+ community which in turn creates a more inclusive and psychologically safe environment.  On an organizational level, we have implemented new policies and procedures that do the same.  The commitment our community has shown for engaging in this very personal inclusivity work has been remarkable.”

The Safe Zone training program was developed in 2021 following input from students about how the university could best serve an increasingly diverse student body.

It is a small-group, multi-session, intensive training that aims to identify, educate, and support members of the campus community who are dedicated to affirming and supporting LGBTQ+ individuals and causes both on- and off-campus. 

Safe Zone participants are provided with training and opportunities to:

• Gain a deeper understanding of LGBTQ identities and lived experiences.
• Examine the relationship between gender and language.
• Gain a deeper understanding of intersectionality and privilege.
• Explore allyship as it applies to the LGBTQ community.

Faculty and staff who have completed training may display signage on their office doors identifying the space as safe, welcoming, and supportive for LGBTQ+ students.

The Safe Zone training is facilitated by faculty and staff who have been trained extensively to lead the small group sessions. This past spring, four Safe Zone administrators worked with 18 faculty and staff enrolled in the program.

Evaluations from participants show the impact of the training.

 In response to the question “What actions are you willing to commit to in your personal and/or professional life to support, embrace and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community? In other words, what will your allyship look like?” participants answered:

“Be a comforting zone, speaking up for others when needed and/or warranted. Fearlessly.”

“I will be more vocal in support the LGBTQ+ community to family, friends and colleges.”

“I will speak up and stand up for the LGBTQ+ community. And before I did that but with my passion and now, I have the facts to back it up.”