RSSNew director to improve campus climate
By Lisa Luzzi
Issue date: 9/7/07 Section: News
Timothy Gardner was appointed first director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Ally program started at Lehigh in mid-July.
Sharon Basso, associate vice provost and dean of students, said the dean of student's office has been providing support services and programs related to the LGBTQA for some time with the existing staff.
The time seemed right to expand the staff to address the campus climate, which Basso said is a university-wide priority.
According to the climate survey report, which was presented to students in February, 65 percent of sexual minority students said they have experienced offensive conduct due their sexual orientation.
The search began last spring when the new LGBTQA position was created as a result of the survey. A search committee comprised of faculty, administration and students reviewed over 100 applicants.
Basso served on the committee with Jacqueline Matthews, associate vice President of human resources, Kristin Handler, former director of the women's center, and professor of computer science and engineering Henry Baird. Hannah Stewart-Gambino, former professor of political science and associate dean of the college of arts and sciences also served on the board before leaving university to take a position as dean of Lafayette College.
The candidate the committee was looking for had to have worked as an advocate of issues related to gender identification, sexual orientation and broader issues related to campus climate.
Basso said the committee also recommended the candidate have at least three to five years experience, knowledge and expertise in LGBTQA issues, and an ability to relate to the university community and alumni.
Basso said the committee believed Gardner exhibited all of the qualifications set forth by the members.
"We believed he met all of the criteria," Basso said. "He was passionate about working with students and collaborating across campus on LGBTQA issues and establishing the Rainbow Room as campus resource."
Sharon Basso, associate vice provost and dean of students, said the dean of student's office has been providing support services and programs related to the LGBTQA for some time with the existing staff.
The time seemed right to expand the staff to address the campus climate, which Basso said is a university-wide priority.
According to the climate survey report, which was presented to students in February, 65 percent of sexual minority students said they have experienced offensive conduct due their sexual orientation.
The search began last spring when the new LGBTQA position was created as a result of the survey. A search committee comprised of faculty, administration and students reviewed over 100 applicants.
Basso served on the committee with Jacqueline Matthews, associate vice President of human resources, Kristin Handler, former director of the women's center, and professor of computer science and engineering Henry Baird. Hannah Stewart-Gambino, former professor of political science and associate dean of the college of arts and sciences also served on the board before leaving university to take a position as dean of Lafayette College.
The candidate the committee was looking for had to have worked as an advocate of issues related to gender identification, sexual orientation and broader issues related to campus climate.
Basso said the committee also recommended the candidate have at least three to five years experience, knowledge and expertise in LGBTQA issues, and an ability to relate to the university community and alumni.
Basso said the committee believed Gardner exhibited all of the qualifications set forth by the members.
"We believed he met all of the criteria," Basso said. "He was passionate about working with students and collaborating across campus on LGBTQA issues and establishing the Rainbow Room as campus resource."
