Life University is committed to maintaining a campus community and culture that allows for its members to feel welcomed, valued and respected. As we prepare our students to lead in the chiropractic and health science professions, we recognize our range of diversity to include culture, lifestyles, abilities, religions, socio-economic status, political systems and philosophies.

Diversity is the representation of human differences. Most often we recognize our differences related to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, social class, physical ability or attributes, religious beliefs, national origin, and political perspectives. In a university setting, academic excellence requires that we move beyond the simple tolerance of our differences and, moreover, embrace and celebrate our diversity in its full scope.

In honor of Pride Month we want to feature several ways that LIFE makes diversity a primary goal.

 

Safe Space

Safe Space is a campus-wide initiative to respect and support all people regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or sexual attraction. This program provides open support to individuals who identify themselves (publicly or privately) as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, inquiring and questioning, with the aim of ensuring all LGBTIQ+ students and employees on campus perform at their highest level. The overall goal is for Life University to create and maintain a campus-wide atmosphere of inclusion and acceptance.

LIFE faculty and staff undergo training to become allies as part of the Safe Space program, and the Life University Safe Space symbol will mark their offices and workspaces as safe zones for nonjudgmental conversation and guidance to resources and support.

We are grateful to the departments who have come together to support the creation of the Safe Space program, including Student Services, Academic Affairs, Service Initiatives, the Sid E. and Nell K. Williams Library and Marketing.

For more information, email SafeSpace@LIFE.edu.

SAFE SPACE is managed by a group of staff and faculty Allies from across campus who wish to increase awareness of issues affecting all minorities with a focus on issues affecting LGBTIQ+ people. SAFE SPACE provides basic, awareness and ally training in pursuit of three goals:

AWARENESS: Gain insights into the lives and experiences of LGBTIQ+ and other marginalized people and self.
KNOWLEDGE: Gain knowledge on facts relating to LGBTIQ+/marginalized people.
ACTION: Bring awareness of self and others’ experiences together with knowledge to create positive change.

SAFE SPACE AWARENESS training is meant to assist people who have asked for increased awareness regarding LGBTIQ+ inclusion. This program is one hour in length and is offered periodically throughout the year. If you would like to request awareness training for your specific department or organization on campus, please contact our group for opportunities available.

SAFE SPACE ALLY training prepares an all-volunteer corps of staff and faculty who have received specific training to have greater awareness of LGBTIQ+ issues and demonstrated a desire to stand with LGBTIQ+ students, staff and faculty in support of their equitable inclusion in campus life. This program is three hours in length and is offered twice in the spring quarter and twice in the fall quarter. Once you complete the training to become an ally, you are welcome to join the SAFE SPACE COMMITTEE to assist in initiatives to make our campus a more inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff.

 

Life University Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI)

The Life University Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) is grateful for the opportunity to announce its inaugural symposium series, With Liberty and Justice for All, a year-long virtual series of symposia exploring the evolution of the meaning of citizens’ (and human) rights and responsibilities from the founding of the USA to the present.

This is an open series, with all members of the LIFE community and the public invited. The honor of your participation is requested.

Click here for details.

 

Diversity Committee

The purpose of the Diversity Committee is to promote and celebrate the rich diversity of our campus community. Comprised for students, staff and faculty, we seek to advance academic and inclusive excellence by recognizing, respecting, valuing and celebrating our diversity as a reflection of our Lasting Purpose. We are committed to promoting and celebrating diversity, inclusion and multiculturalism through a variety of mechanisms including school-wide social gatherings, cultural events, workshops and engaging in courageous conversations about social and political events.

 

Gender & Sexual Diversity Committee

Life University established the Gender and Sexual Diversity (GSD) Committee (formerly the Safe Space Committee) in 2015 to foster an inclusive climate to address sexism and heterosexism on the campus. The GSD committee is comprised of faculty and staff who are dedicated to increasing awareness, education, and creating space for conversations related to gender and sexual diversity.

Charge of the GSD Committee:

  • Create opportunities for education.
  • Provide growth and development opportunities.
  • Review policies and procedures for GSD inclusion.
  • Advocating for more inclusive community.
  • Serve in advisory role for inclusive language in communications/policies, etc.
  • Promote common humanity.
  • Provide student peer education training.

Goals of the GSD Committee:

  • Awareness: Gain insights into the lives and experiences of LGBTIQ people and self.
  • Knowledge: Gain knowledge on facts relating to LGBTIQ issues.
  • Action: Bring awareness of self and others’ experiences together with knowledge to create positive change.
  • Service: Ensure all members of the LIFE community are represented and included fairly and equitably.

Additional on-campus information:

  • LGBTIQ Library Resources- https://life.libguides.com/lgbtiq
  • Safe Space Basic Ally Trainings (Faculty & Staff)
  • Safe Space Awareness Workshops (Faculty & Staff)
  • Student Success Center- Student Assistance Program provides a variety of resources, including counseling.
  • Gay-Straight Alliance (Students)

 

Gay-Straight Alliance

The goal of the Gay-Straight Alliance is to provide the students of the Life University academic community with a place that is welcoming and safe for all students, faculty, and staff regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. We want to create an organization of inclusion that fosters open communication between students, faculty, and staff.

It is our intention to bring the LGBTQQ-identified students, faculty, and staff and straight allies together to promote a campus community where students can express their gender identity or sexual orientation without fear but rather with pride. We seek to educate the campus community about current LGBTQ human rights progress/issues, and to come together to fight discrimination. We welcome everyone to our meetings and social events. We are here to help each other, share knowledge, and celebrate LIFE!

 

Slice of LIFE is an invitation to and extension of everything happening at Life U. Whether you are a current student, a potential freshman or a proud alumni, Slice of LIFE can help keep you connected to your academic community. Know of a compelling Life U story to be shared, such as a riveting project, innovative group or something similar? Let us know by emailing Marketing@life.edu.