Faculty Allies was started spring quarter of 2005 to respond to a need on campus for making GLBTQA affirming faculty, staff, and administration visible to students. Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals bring a wide range of life experiences to the college community. Often GLBT individuals, individuals who are questioning their own sexual identities, and/or individuals who have GLBT friends and family members look for an environment to find support, seek answers to questions, and build connections. Students who build support networks and find a sense of connection within a college are much more likely to succeed. For a GLBT student, having a space on campus where he or she can feel comfortable with self-expression is vital to both personal and academic success. Having support on campus may be the reason a student will stay at ONU rather than transfer to a different school.

Allies voluntarily attend a two hour training session dealing with issues relating to sexuality and how to access additional resources for students on campus. ONU Allies display a rainbow polar bear emblem in their campus space that denotes they are a Faculty Ally and will not discriminate the student based on sexual orientation inside and outside the classroom. Faculty Allies are active members of the ONU community and it is not surprising to see them at Open Doors meetings or events. To find out who is a supportive ally in your college, email Sara at s-banchy@onu.edu or look for a rainbow polar bear.

What is expected of a Faculty Ally:

• Provide support, information and referral to individuals who approach them;
• Respect the person's need for privacy and confidentiality;
• Develop a more genuine and realistic professional relationship with GLBT students, or friends and family of GLBT individuals, who may not self-censor their speech;
• Gain a fuller picture of students' lives and concerns;
• Make a personal contribution to improving our campus environment and the lives of our students;
• Participate in periodic assessments regarding the effectiveness and impact of this program.

• Be a counselor or expert regarding sexual orientation;
• Create a psychological support group;
• Know the answers to all questions regarding sexual orientation;
• Be the ONLY contact for the gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender community;
• Hear intimate personal details;
• Participate in political activities involving gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender issues.