A Brief History of Our Office

A variety of factors led to the appointment of a Presidential Task Force on Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Concerns in the summer of 1992. During the summer and fall of 1992, the division of student affairs, the provost's council, and the staff of the office of admissions all participated in an educational seminar on issues facing GLBT students. Amendment 2 and right wing attacks on gay and lesbian rights across the country served to further politicize the campus and community climate. The Auraria Lesbian and Gay Alliance became very active during 1991-1992. With the governor's declaration of human rights, MSCD included "sexual orientation" to its affirmative action policy statement. The Office of Student Activities began to require that student clubs sign a "non-discrimination" policy which included sexual orientation in order to be officially recognized by the college. The efforts by some religious groups to be excluded from this policy led to the need for a response from Dr. Brewer. Although the college supported the "non-discrimination" policy, ROTC and religious organizations were exempted from signing the policy. At that point, ALAGA organized a rally and presented Dr. Brewer with a list of demands which included a request for a task force to review campus climate issues for GLBT students, staff, and faculty. Dr. Brewer appointed and charged the task force in the summer of 1992.

In October of 1992, the task force presented Dr. Brewer a set of recommendations. The number one recommendation of the task force was the creation of an office to serve the needs of GLBT students. Shortly after the recommendations, the Student Affairs Board funded a temporary half-time position for a Coordinator of GLB Student Services. The position eventually grew into a full time task with Karen Bensen as Director.