A Formal Sense of the Body Resolution: Diversity, Sexual Orientation, and Programming

Final Edition PASSED With Amendments:
April 3, 2007 at 10:43pm
Vote:  28-2-0

Purpose: To take an active stance on the administration’s refusal to allow IRHG to show GLBT-themed films during its “Movies That Make You Go Hmm…” series.

Whereas: The IRHG Diversity and Leadership Committee is charged with “Fostering diversity as defined by our Mission Statement in Article 2 of the IRHG Constitution, Inform the IRHG General Assembly of any campus needs or interest with regards to diversity; [and] to work with the IRHG Programming Chair to incorporate diversity into the activities offered by IRHG and to involve IRHG in projects and programs that promote both diversity and leadership” (Article I, Section 6, Number 3 of the IRHG Governing Documents).

Whereas: The Creighton University administration prohibited IRHG from implementing two diversity-based programs that reinforce the mission of IRHG and of the Creighton University community because of its “promotion of the homosexual lifestyle.”

Whereas: The diversity-based program was the showing of the feature film “Transamerica” and “Normal.”

Whereas: Creighton University has allowed programming similar to this feature film, including: The Vagina Monologues in 2003. 

Whereas: The production of The Vagina Monologues was supported and paid for by the Department of Residence Life and the Creighton University Center for Women.

Whereas: Article II, Number 3 of the IRHG Constitution states, “IRHG shall not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, handicap, sexual orientation, marital, or social status in the selection of its members or in its programs unless federal or state laws allow for such exceptions.”

Whereas: In the Spring of 2006, Inter Residence Hall Government created the Diversity   and Leadership Committee as a formal entity of IRHG’s organizational hierarchy that seeks to align itself with IRHG and Creighton University’s mission statements.

Whereas: Father Schlegel, in a May 15, 2001 speech, also stated (with regards to diversity):

“Let me conclude these comments with a remarkably timely quote from John F. Kennedy. In the face of the civil rights struggles in the early 1960s he wrote:
‘Now the time has come for this nation to fulfill its promise. The events of Birmingham (and Cincinnati) and elsewhere have so increased the cries for equality that no city, or state or legislative body (or corporation) can prudently choose to ignore them….we face, therefore, a moral crisis as a country and as a people….a great change is at hand, and our task, our obligation, is to make that revolution, that change, peaceful and constructive for all.’
So my friends, as we live and work and have our being in the Omaha of today, we have a challenge before us; we have an obligation to work to make it work…
It is time for that next step. It is time for action. So let the work begin.”

Whereas: Father Schlegel, in a 2006 speech, stated the following:

“Given our Jesuit tradition and our public commitment to justice and to fostering an inclusive, compassionate and respectful environment for all students, staff and faculty, it is essential that Creighton University stands as a living testimonial to equity related to the rights of all to learn, work and prosper according to their efforts and talents, and to proactively break down contrived obstacles to the full Creighton experience for our students, faculty and staff.”

Whereas: Father Schlegel, in a 2006 speech, continued with the following:
“Faculty, staff, students, visitors and other constituents should be able to recognize and experience Creighton’s non-discriminatory climate, and we will continue to encourage progressive education/training efforts about the negative impacts of discrimination and harassment. In an era of increasing diversity and intercultural awareness, the University needs to continue to find ways to empower those who feel that their voice has been taken. University offices need to find ways to encourage victims to report hate acts, sexual harassment, assaults, etc.

In closing, the creation and maintenance of a diverse community must originate from the top with us – you and me – leading the way for our students. The majority must first speak, so others will be more apt to listen. The failure to establish a diverse community that fosters different perspectives will lead to individuals who are powerless to achieve their potential and a stagnate community that is unwilling to grow and unable to contribute to surrounding society.

So let us together, my friends, commit to and work to achieve our institutional priority of maintaining an environment that welcomes a diverse population of students, faculty and staff while empowering them to develop to their full potential. It is the right thing to do individually, and it is the right thing to do as an institution.”

Whereas: Father Schlegel, in the 2001 Convocation address, stated:

“And in that we are creating a Catholic university “that is a primary and privileged place for a fruitful dialogue between the gospel and culture—a place where faith meets reason.”

Whereas: Pope Benedict XVI, on December 24, 2006, stated in a public address that people around the world need to "overcome preconceived ideas and prejudices, tear down barriers and eliminate contrasts that divide -- or worse -- set individuals and peoples against each other, so as to build together a world of justice and peace."

Whereas: In the famous Always Our Children: A Pastoral Message, published in 1997, (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #2358 ) states:

"It is not sufficient only to avoid unjust discrimination.  Homosexual persons must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity."

“Creighton University desires to foster a campus community where people can work and learn with respect, dignity and freedom from discrimination…Especially intolerable in view of the University’s commitment to respect for the person are offenses against persons because of their race, religion, ethnicity, physical disability, gender or sexual orientation.”

Whereas: The Creighton University Student Credo states:

“We believe in God, our loving Creator.”
“We believe each person, created in God’s image, is called to be God’s child, and therefore possesses intrinsic value as a human being. This includes all persons and excludes any form of discrimination.”
“We believe that the deepest purpose of each person is to enrich and share life through love and reverence in the human community. This motivates our open and continuous pursuit of truth. For this reason we foster reverence for life in all of its human potential.”
“We believe that we must strive for a human community of justice, mutual respect, and concern. In this context we must cultivate care for our planet and its resources.”
“We believe in the teachings and example of Jesus Christ.”

Whereas: Creighton University Inter Residence Hall Government, per Article III in its Constitution, is affiliated and supports the National Association of College and University Residence Halls, Incorporated.

Whereas: National Association of College and University Residence Halls, Inc., in its Governing Documents, states:

“NACURH, Inc. is a student run organization whose members purpose is to provide communication, education and leadership development opportunities for student leaders in residence hall systems across the country and world. The students who comprise this organization represent different abilities, races, ethnicity, sexual orientations, religions, ages, genders, and political affiliations. NACURH is a representative body of a truly multicultural population in which individual differences are accepted and welcomed. We accept the responsibility to act aggressively and proactively toward educating our membership. We strongly encourage member schools to build conference delegations that are representative and inclusive of the diversity of people of their individual campuses. Ultimately, we strive for a unified organization which has an appreciation, understanding and acceptance of diversity. Finally, we encourage member schools to work together to provide a unified front in order to achieve our basic goals of improving residence halls nationwide and internationally.”

Whereas: Father Schlegel, in a 2000 speech, stated:
“It has been noted that ‘by valuing people for their unique identity and enabling them to contribute, we strengthen our resources, problem solving, decision making, and vitality as an institution’…”
“To be seen to be truly ‘serious about diversity’ we have to ‘walk the talk.’ This commitment has to be reflected in our financial aid programs, infused in the curricula and co-curricular opportunities, reflected in faculty mentoring and staff promotions, evidenced in student retention, celebrated in our community…”
“Given the Judeo-Christian values of Creighton, our belief in Catholic social teaching, and our tradition of educating for social mobility, this is a challenge we willingly take. For we know from experience that ‘saber est poder,’ that education empowers. And we are in the business of empowerment...”
“It is my strongly held belief that there is in Jesuit education an implicit acceptance and appreciation of cultural diversity…”
“We have an unprecedented opportunity to shape the future of Creighton. It is exciting to be on the cusp of change. So I ask you to help make "diversity'' a recognized strength; one which complements Creighton's identity as Catholic, Jesuit and urban. From my perspective and experience this is a win-win situation…”
“For diversity ‘is a strength that yields more creative, synergistic, and effective outcomes’…”

Whereas: The Creighton University Code of Conduct states:
2. Respect and promote the dignity of all persons.
“Consistent with this principle is growing in understanding of different cultures and groups, resolving conflicts fairly, appreciating peoples’ differences, and seeking truths and values essential to human life and community. This principle challenges you to refrain from actions that threaten or discourage the freedom, personal safety, and respect that all individuals deserve.

Inconsistent with this principle are actions that compromise or demean the intrinsic worth of individuals or groups. All forms of racism, sexism, pornography, lewd behavior, harassment, intimidation, taunting, insult, physical harm, and discrimination are inconsistent with this principle.”
Whereas:         The Creighton University Student Handbook (Updated July 1, 2006) states:

Definition of Harassment and Discrimination
“Discriminatory treatment on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap or disability, marital status, citizenship, maternity or lactation status, status as a veteran or resulting from engaging in protected activity under the anti-discrimination laws. Examples of harassment include, but are not limited to, intimidation and humiliation as expressed by communications, threats, acts of violence, hatred, abuse of authority, or ill-will that assault an individual’s self-worth. Harassment of a non-sexual nature can include slurs, comments, rumors, jokes, innuendoes, cartoons, pranks, and other verbal or physical conduct, frequent, derogatory remarks, and any other conduct or behavior deemed inappropriate by Creighton University” (p.38). 

Whereas:  The Creighton University Student Handbook (Updated July 1, 2006) also states:

“Any form of harassment or discrimination is a violation of human dignity. The University strongly condemns any such harassment or discrimination.” (p. 38).

 Whereas:  The Creighton University Student Handbook (Updated July 1, 2006) also states:

“Creighton is a Catholic University. As Catholic, Creighton is committed to identification with a specific religious tradition and all of its essential values. As a university, Creighton is committed to the widest possible freedom of expression, including critical examination of ideas and perspectives which may be or may appear to be incompatible with its Catholic tradition and mission” (p.42).

Whereas: The Creighton University Department of Residence Life Montserrat, the Residence Life manual for all those living in on-campus facilities, states:

“…the residence life program is developed so that you may explore, learn, and reflect upon your choice of lifestyles that will become the basis of your adult life” (p.44). 

Whereas:  The Rev. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J, (Superior General of the Jesuit Order), in a 2006 speech at Santa Clara University stated:

“We must therefore raise our Jesuit educational standard to "educate the whole person of solidarity for the real world." Solidarity is learned through ‘contact’ rather than through ‘concepts,’ as the Holy Father said recently at an Italian university conference.  When the heart is touched by direct experience, the mind may be challenged to change. Personal involvement with innocent suffering, with the injustice others suffer, is the catalyst for solidarity which then gives rise to intellectual inquiry and moral reflection.

Students, in the course of their formation, must let the gritty reality of this world into their lives, so they can learn to feel it, think about it critically, respond to its suffering and engage it constructively. They should learn to perceive, think, judge, choose and act for the rights of others, especially the disadvantaged and the oppressed”

Whereas: Other Jesuit Universities around the country have allowed the showing of similar movies.

Whereas: Marquette University showed Brokeback Mountain on April 7, 2006 and April 8, 2006.  The event was sponsored by the Marquette Student Government, The Gay-Straight Alliance of Marquette University, and university administrators.  The movie was shown in a campus theatre.  (See Email #1)

Whereas: Canisius College showed Boys Don’t Cry on September 28, 2006 and Brokeback Mountain on October 12, 2006.  The Gay Straight Alliance of Cansius College, a Jesuit institution, was supported by the university administration in this programming initiative to provide education and programming initiatives dealing with sexual orientation, sex, and gender issues.

Whereas: Loyola College in Maryland showed Kinsey in a campus facility in September 2006.  The Spectrum, Loyola’s equivalent of a Gay Straight Alliance, was supported by the university administration in the showing of the movie and through a week of sexual orientation programming initiatives.  In 2001 and 2002, Loyola College in Maryland also was supported by the university administration in showing the movies Philadelphia and If These Walls Could Talk II.

Whereas: Georgetown University showed the popular television series Queer as Folk in a campus facility on October 8, 2002.  Georgetown University, again with the support of the administration, showed But I’m a Cheerleader in a campus facility on October 10, 2002.

Whereas: Loyola University at Chicago, with support of the university administration, showed But I’m a Cheerleader and The Birdcage in a campus facility on October 18, 2006.

Whereas:  Gonzaga University, with the support of its administration and Gay-Straight Alliance, showed Brokeback Mountain, Boys Don’t Cry, The Laramie Project, and Transamerica in a campus facility.  (See email #2)

Whereas:  Seton Hall University, with the support of its administration and Gay-Straight Alliance, showed Brokeback Mountain in a campus facility on November 20, 2006.

Whereas: Xavier University has made proposals and shown the movies Brokeback Mountain, Transamerica, and Rent in campus facilities with the support of its administration.  (See email #3)

Therefore be it resolved: The Creighton University Inter Residence Hall Government, in accordance with its mission of being an inclusive and supportive organization of all students, strongly advocates for and supports the diversity of its students, staff, and faculty both within the residence halls and on the campus of Creighton University, particularly regarding sexual orientation.

Therefore be it resolved:  As student-leaders, we promise to take an active approach toward serving as facilitators of dialogue and education through the development and implementation of programming that seeks to develop informed resident students and leaders at Creighton University. 

Therefore be it resolved: We, as the student-leaders of IRHG, understand that diversity initiatives, particularly revolving around sexual orientation, sex, and gender cannot be delegated.

Therefore be it resolved: IRHG does not support the discrimination or censorship of programming based solely on sexual orientation, sex, and gender—as it directly conflicts with our organization’s mission.

Therefore be it resolved: IRHG is not a politically-based institution; rather, is an institution based on the values of equality, justice, diversity, and education.

Therefore be it resolved: IRHG, as an organization, promises to uphold Father Schlegel’s challenge to “walk the talk and work the work” with regards to diversity initiatives and programming—particularly with sexual orientation, sex, and gender issues.

Therefore be it resolved: IRHG supports the belief that “the failure to establish a diverse community that fosters different perspectives will lead to individuals who are powerless to achieve their potential and a stagnate community that is unwilling to grow and unable to contribute to surrounding society.”

Therefore be it resolved: IRHG believes the censorship of programming dealing with sexual orientation, sex, and gender issues is both discrimination against a minority group (explicitly prohibited in the Student Credo, Code of Conduct, and other documents of the University that governs behavior) and misrepresentation of the stated mission and values exhibited within the University handbook (specifically p. 42).

Therefore be it resolved: IRHG officially supports the showing of the movie “Transamerica” and other movies that educate on the adversity, issues, and marginalization experienced by members of minority groups—including that of sexual orientation, sex, and gender.

Therefore be it resolved: IRHG will continue to support programming and other initiatives that seek to educate and promote dialogue about issues facing college students both during the collegiate experience and after graduation.

Therefore be it resolved: IRHG petitions the Division of Student Services and the Department of Residence Life to allow the public presentation of the feature film “Transamerica” as part of its dialogue and education-based programming initiative.

Therefore be it resolved: IRHG is founded upon and will be continually committed toward upholding the values and beliefs expressed in the aforementioned whereas clauses.

Therefore be it resolved: IRHG will add a “Diversity Statement” to its Governing Documents to complement the existing diversity clause in the IRHG Mission Statement

Article III.  Diversity Statement
 “The Inter Residence Hall Government is a student-run organization whose purpose is to provide communication, education, and leadership development opportunities for student leaders in the residential housing system across campus.   Our members and constituents are of different abilities, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, religions, ages, social classes, sexes, genders, and political affiliations.  As such, the Inter Residence Hall Government of Creighton University is a representative body of a truly multi-cultural population and is committed to promoting an atmosphere that is conducive to creating an appreciation of individual differences within our university community and the community abroad.  Ultimately, we strive for an appreciation, understanding, and celebration of diversity." 

Therefore be it resolved: IRHG supports the Gay-Straight Alliance at Creighton University as an active partner in education and diversity-based initiatives and believes the organization is a beneficial partner and advocate within the Creighton University community.

Therefore be it resolved: IRHG will publicly post an engraved plaque on its office door with the newly-established IRHG Diversity Statement which shall read: 

“The Inter Residence Hall Government is a student-run organization whose purpose is to provide communication, education, and leadership development opportunities for student leaders in the residential housing system across campus.   Our members and constituents are of different abilities, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, religions, ages, social classes, sexes, genders, and political affiliations.  As such, the Inter Residence Hall Government of Creighton University is a representative body of a truly multi-cultural population and is committed to promoting an atmosphere that is conducive to creating an appreciation of individual differences within our university community and the community abroad.  Ultimately, we strive for an appreciation, understanding, and celebration of diversity." 

Therefore be it resolved:  IRHG will annually meet the criteria of being an allied organization.

Therefore be it resolved:  IRHG, in the interest of education and dialogue, officially commissions Michael Marshall, an Executive Officer of the IRHG Executive Team, to organize a closed-door, facilitated discussion between members of the administration and student leaders of various student organizations.

Therefore be it resolved:  IRHG, in the interest of education and dialogue, officially commissions Michael Marshall, an Executive Officer of the IRHG Executive Team, to work with administrators and students in an investigation of a potential University Sexual Orientation Advisory Board or Committee.  Such University Advisory Boards exist at other Jesuit, Catholic Universities, such as:  Gonzaga University.

Therefore be it resolved:  IRHG will investigate, through its Diversity and Leadership Committee, the possibility of implementing a town hall meeting to examine and dialogue about sexual orientation, sex, and gender issues within the residential living facilities at Creighton University.

Therefore be it resolved: Upon its passage, this resolution and recommendation shall be distributed to the following: 

Father John P. Schlegel, S.J., President of Creighton University;
Mr. William A. Fitzgerald, Chairman of the Creighton University Board of Directors;
Mr. John E. Pierce, J.D., Special Assistant to the President for Diversity and Outreach;
Dr. John Cernech, Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Services;
Ms. Michele Starzyk, Assistant Dean of Students;
Ms. Tanya Winegard, Assistant Vice President of Student Services;
Dr. Rich Rossi, Associate Vice President of Student Services for Residence Life;
Father Richard Hauser, S.J., Jesuit Superior & Member of Board of Directors;
Mr. Ricardo Ariza, Director of Multicultural Affairs;
Ms. Teri Dameron, Coordinator of Multicultural Student Services;
Ms. Allison Taylor, Director of the Eileen B. Lieben Center for Women and Deglman Hall Resident Director;
Mr. Stephen McHale, President of the Creighton Students Union;
Ms. Catherine O’Neill, President of the Gay-Straight Alliance;
Ms. Katie Ryan, The Creightonian Editor in Chief;
Dr. Erika Kirby; Director of Women and Gender Studies;
Dr. Wayne Young Jr., Vice President for Student Learning;
Ms. Cindy Fendrick, Assistant Director of Apartment Living;
Mr. Dusten Crichton, Swanson Hall Resident Director/Associate Director of Residence Life;
Ms. Melissa Patterson, Kenefick Hall Resident Director;
Mr. Andrew Perrone, McGloin Hall Resident Director;
Mr. MacGarrett Becker, Gallagher Hall Resident Director;
Ms. Georgianna Martin, Kiewit Hall Resident Director;
Mr. Adam Stafford, Heider Hall Apartment Coordinator;
Ms. Jessica Berwick, Davis Square Apartment Coordinator;
Ms. Katie Welsh, Opus Apartment Coordinator.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael S. Marshall                           
Executive Officio