THE VARSITY
Vol. CXXXII, No. 5
University of Toronto’s Student Newspaper Since 1880
26 September, 2011
Jude Tate, Officer of the SGDO, will be leaving her post at the end of September.
Future uncertain for SGDO
Student groups speak out to ensure the survival of Sexual and Gender Diversity Office Jonathan Scott VARSITY CONTRIBUTOR
An “emergency meeting” was called on September 19 by SEC, LGBTOUT, and Rainbow Trin to discuss a coordinated response to news that the Sexual and Gender Diversity Office might be closing its doors, effective at the end of the month. Jude Tate, Officer of the SGDO, has accepted a new position at the University of British Columbia, and the Office’s Programs Coordinator, Adam Morrison, is leaving to work for the Ontario Government. Because there was no formal announcement from the Uni-
versity of Toronto, LGBTQ student leaders were thrown into a panic this past week; it appeared the university was delaying new hires, effectively closing the office until further notice. “The university has known I’m leaving since my announcement in June. Ideally, they would have presented a plan then, and there wouldn’t be any confusion now. … It should be really simple,” noted Tate. Instead, she spent hours dealing with a rampant student “rumour mill.” Justin Gordon-Deacon, Internal Coordinator for LGBTOUT, said that the university’s options are limited: close the office, review
“We are concerned that the [SGDO’s services] will be downloaded onto student groups and put further pressure on our already scarce resources.” — Corey Scott, UTSU VP Internal & Services
the office’s efficacy with a temporary staff member in place, leave it closed pending review, or begin a hiring process immediately. “They certainly need two fulltime staff,” he stressed, noting that otherwise, LGBTQ students, faculty, and staff will “lack the resources they need.” Simon Bredin, member of Rainbow Trin and Director of Public Affairs for LGBTOUT, was concerned about the unclear scenario. “We are trying to be cautious and avoid an overreaction, as students are wont to do in these kinds of situations. That said, the … situation [is] definitely worrying, and we will
respond as more information becomes available.” Still, the University of Toronto Students’ Union thinks something is afoot. Corey Scott, VP Internal & Services, demanded a second meeting with LGBTQ campus groups, arguing that UTSU needed to be involved to represent student interests. While Tate suggested that a review of the office’s efficacy when the main staff member leaves would be “entirely normal,” she remained clear about the “importance and continued operation” of the office.
SEE ‘SGDO’ P4