LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
74th Student Congress

STATEMENT OF POSITION
Statement of Position No. SCSP 74-01

A Statement of Position Regarding: LGBTQ+ Justice at Providence College

Introduced By: Anthony DiSpena, Chair of the Committee on Advocacy

Point Person(s): Jack Sullivan, Chair of the Committee on Legislative Affairs

Whereas pursuant to Article Three, Section 1, Paragraph D of The Constitution of the Student Congress of Providence College: “The object of Congress shall be to promote, consistent with the Board of Trustees, the administration and the faculty, the best interests of the students of Providence College;”

Whereas pursuant to Article Three, Section 2, Paragraph B of The Constitution of the Student Congress of Providence College: “The Congress shall present all justified requests, opinions, complaints, and grievances to the appropriate official, board, or committee;”

Whereas pursuant to the Preamble of The Constitution of the Student Congress of Providence College, the body vows itself to: “Represent all students in order to serve, protect, and uphold the values and commitments to our Beloved Community;”

Whereas the 73rd Student Congress of Providence College unanimously passed SCRC 73-01, calling for the permanent position of Resource Coordinator for LGBTQ+ Inclusion;

Be it hereby known that the 74th Student Congress of Providence College recognizes the power of the Friar Family to foster a Beloved Community. The Congress commends Father Sicard’s unprecedented inclination toward diversity, equity, and inclusion at the College including the introduction of the LGBTQ+ Resource Coordinator position in the Fall of 2020.

As the first individual to fill the role, E. Corry Kole exemplified keen attention to Providence College’s hunger for a synthesis between the Dominican Tradition and the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals. Throughout their time, E. began spreading awareness of these stories and educating the campus on effective allyship.

The 74th Student Congress commemorates E.’s leadership, bravery, and friendship and wishes to see their success in future endeavors.

Despite the gravity of E.’s impact at Providence College, the Student Congress would be amiss if it neglected legitimate barriers preventing the College from truly welcoming its LGBTQ+ Friars into the Beloved Community. From public incidents of anti-LGBTQ+ hate, discrimination, and exclusion to administrative red tape silencing student organizations, faculty, and staff from sharing lived experiences and building visible communities, Providence College maintains a campus climate permissive of concealing a significant portion of its population.

As a Catholic institution, the College has ample opportunity and the duty to respond to the needs of every individual who calls its campus home. Whether students, faculty, staff, or alumni, all Friars deserve mutual respect from the College. Therefore, all aspects of the school should be responsive and accessible to the needs of every individual and community on campus, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, veteran status, class, ability status, age, sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

With this, the 74th Student Congress is proud to sign on to the March 18th, 2024, open letter identifying hypocrisy in the College’s treatment toward LGBTQ+ community members and aligns with the letter’s recommendations.

In addition, the 74th Student Congress of Providence College insists the College institute the following measures to improve the support, visibility, and recognition of the LGBTQ+ community on campus:

SUPPORT

1. The immediate search to fill the permanent position of LGBTQ+ Resource Coordinator with representation from student, faculty, and staff stakeholders throughout the search;
2. An “LGBTQ+ Resources” page be easily accessible via the Office of Student Affairs’ website;
3. The Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, offers Safe Space Training and similar programs for student clubs and organizations, academic departments, administrative offices, and other general communities on campus if requested;
4. Additional avenues for building the LGBTQ+ community at Providence College through student, faculty, staff, and alumni networks;
5. Accessible housing and restroom accommodations for students of every sexual and gender identity, including but not limited to additional single dormitories and single-use restrooms in all buildings available to all genders.

VISIBILITY

1. Approved student organizations have the autonomy to promote an inclusive environment, specifically for LGBTQ+ communities, through their events;
2. The College permits imagery and phrases relative to the inclusivity of marginalized communities including the word “Pride” and its derivatives;
3. The College accepts students, faculty, and staff’s preferred identities, names, and pronouns. This includes allowing preferred names on diplomas and allowing College officials to display their preferred names and pronouns online and in person.

RECOGNITION

1. The College publicly acknowledges the bravery and strong will of SHEPARD and other organized bodies at Providence College;
2. The College reflects on the pain it has inflicted on LGBTQ+ individuals at Providence College and looks to a brighter future by embracing these groups into the Beloved Community through the values of love and truth encouraged by the Dominican Tradition.

Student Congress will continue its support of these missions by:

1. Participating as representatives on college advisory boards and selection committees working toward building the Beloved Community;
2. Including Safe Space and intersectional allyship training as pillars of in-house education efforts;
3. Respecting the identities of all members of the Friar Family and using its voice as an influential student organization to amplify the voices and experiences of those that have gone silent for generations.

LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
74th Student Congress

RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation No. SCRC 74-05

A Recommendation Regarding: Expanding the Higher Education Data Sharing (HEDS) Diversity and Equity Campus Climate Survey

Introduced By:

• Anthony DiSpena, Chair of the Committee on Advocacy
• Grace Pierson Member of the Advocacy Committee, Class of 2026 Representative
• Francesca Bambara, Member of the Advocacy Committee
• Cara Petryki, Member of the Student Life Committee

Point Person(s):

• Richard Scott, Member of the Legislative Affairs Committee, Class of 2025 Representative

Whereas pursuant to Article Three, Section 1, Paragraph A of The Constitution of the Student Congress of Providence College: “The object of the Student Congress shall be to act as the official representative of the student body in order to promote meaningful student participation in the goals of Providence College consistent with the mission statement of Providence College;”

Whereas pursuant to Article Three, Section 1, Paragraph D of The Constitution of the Student Congress of Providence College: “The object of Congress shall be to promote, consistent with the Board of Trustees, the administration and the faculty, the best interests of the students of Providence College;”

Whereas pursuant to Article Three, Section 2, Paragraph B of The Constitution of the Student Congress of Providence College: “The Congress shall present all justified requests, opinions, complaints, and grievances to the appropriate official, board, or committee;”

Be it hereby recommended by the 74th Student Congress of Providence College that the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity & Inclusion’s Higher Education Data Sharing (HEDS) Survey collect and report demographic and climate data regarding the following identifying traits starting with the 2026 HEDS Survey:

• Ability status (including physical, mental, and cognitive ability)
• First-generation student status
• Commuter status
• International residence
• Income level
• To be administered every 2 years