Standing Committees
Communications / OUTreach:
For the past several years, these two committees have worked in conjunction. The Communications Committee advises the Commission on how to keep the public fully informed of CLGBTE objectives and activities, including committee-level work. It coordinates press releases, periodically reviews the Commission's Web site, and, as needed, helps to plan and promote high-profile events. The OUTreach committee works to improve the climate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and allied persons at all Penn State locations, especially those away from University Park. Activities include building a network of liaisons and developing diversity programs.
Curricular Integration:
This committee strives to enhance the teaching and learning environment pertaining to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues at all Penn State locations. Responsibilities of this committee include working with various University units to create a minor for LGBT studies, helping to provide incentives for faculty who want to develop courses, and sponsoring or co-sponsoring forums or workshops to discuss current research/issues in the area of LGBT studies.
Employee Concerns:
The Employee Concerns Committee advises the Commission on matters related to the environment, policies and benefits for LGBTA faculty and staff at Penn State. The committee is concerned about things which affect the recruitment, retention, and success of LGBTA employees.
Nominating:
The Nominating Committee compiles a slate of nominees for any necessary elections, keeps an up-to-date list of potential members based on nominations received, and periodically notifies the Chair of inactive members who need to be contacted. The committee has representation from faculty, staff, and students. The Chair must be in his/her third year of membership on the CLGBTE.
Student Concerns:
The Student Concerns Committee advises the Commission on issues relative to the LGBTA student body and provides student input on all Commission decisions. The Committee is ultimately interested in improving the climate in the Penn State community in which they reside.
Transgender Task Force:
The task force has a two pronged charge: 1) to review and evaluate the inclusion of transgender issues in the operations of the standing committees and report findings and recommendations to the Commission; and 2) work to identify and address concerns related to gender identity and expression.
The commission’s operating strategies are as follows:
- Monitoring, evaluating, and creating programs to improve the climate, welfare, and visibility for the LGBTQA community
- Encouraging and supporting academic and social discourse related to issues affecting the LGBTQA community
- Building partnerships and encouraging communication among students, faculty, staff, and administration on issues of LGBTQ equity University-wide.
- Developing ongoing means of supporting A Framework to Foster Diversity at Penn State, 2004-09, and diversity strategic planning
Initiatives include:
- Evaluating the visibility of same sex domestic partner benefits
- Creating an employee resource packet to facilitate understanding of and access to resources and benefits for LGBTQ employees University-wide
- Working with the Office of Human Resources to create a manual of best practices for responding to common situations facing transitioning employees and their supervisors
- Examining benefits and housing concerns for transgendered and/or transitioning individuals within the University community.
- Updating the listing of LGBT-related courses available at Penn State
- Supporting the development of course work for the Sexuality Studies minor within the College of Liberal Arts
- Establishing guidelines regarding the role of campus liaisons; identifying appropriate persons and/or staff positions to fulfill the liaison role at each campus
- Collaborating with the Commission for Women and the Commission on Racial/Ethnic Diversity on issues of mutual concern, which includes assessing the diversity climate across the University, joint orientation for commission members, establishing liaison relationships with the University Faculty Senate, and working with Intercollegiate Athletics
The Commission's Bylaws were updated March 2007. - [PDF]
For more information about the Commission and its activities, please call 814-863-7696.
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