The ALLIES Program of The University of
Mississippi
ALLIES Program Mission
To develop and maintain a network of informed faculty and
staff
who are willing to be visibly supportive of students who identify
themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender, and who will
work to foster a campus climate in which all students, regardless
of sexual orientation or identity, may feel safe, supported,
respected, and affirmed.
ALLIES is a program developed and coordinated by the University
Counseling Center and Outreach Programming, in conjunction with
the CUP student organization. Prospective ALLIES are asked to
attend a training session, during which they receive information
on the challenges faced by sexually diverse students. ALLIES are
then asked to voluntarily display the ALLIES symbol on their
office door indicating they will be supportive of gay, lesbian or
bisexual students, as well as be intolerant of homophobic
behaviors by others. This program is about making our university
campus climate safer for all students, regardless of sexual
orientation.
Basic Guidelines for ALLIES
- Respect the privacy of student who may seek you out for support,
information, or resources: keep these contacts confidential.
- Respect students’ changing experience of self as they explore
their sexual identity: use language that reflects where the
students are in their developmental process.
- Respect students’ rights to remain closeted: there can be
tremendous negative consequences to coming out for many students,
including the loss of friends, family, financial support, and
basic safety.
- Respect the boundaries of the students with whom you have
contact:
maintain clear, professional boundaries as a teacher, advisor, or
advocate at all times.
- Respect the needs of students who are beyond what you are trained
to provide: refer students for counseling when appropriate. If a
student is experiencing a good deal of psychological distress and
is having difficulty coping, suggest that counseling may be
helpful.
For more information, please contact:
Kevin Cozart (kcozart@olemiss.edu) 662-915-5916
Administrator, ALLIES Program
The Sarah Isom Center for Women and Gender Studies
Vicki Mahan (vlmahan@olemiss.edu), 662-915-3789
University Counseling Center and Outreach Programming
