History

Kick Off Celebration - Chapel Steps - 1/16/01

Written Remarks
Duke University President Nannerl O. Keohane

We often speak of Duke as a community, an intentional fellowship of people with common interests dedicated to teaching and learning. The community communes--talks together, feelingly and sometimes intimately--about intellectual, academic, and social matters. Those conversations, to be most meaningful, have to take place against a backdrop where community members can feel comfortable in letting others know who they are, what motivates them, what they care about. Our academic and residential community shares a common interest in the well-being of its members; from both our principles and our experience we understand that not just tolerating but celebrating diversity can advance our educational mission. SAFE on Campus, as I understand it, is precisely about community, and about the emotional safety that underpins the free exchange of ideas. That's why I'm behind it whole-heartedly. Duke is dedicated to providing a lively and safe space for all its students, and we are committed to making diversity work university-wide as a force for positive change. Of course, policies serve people, not the other way around; and it is only through the personal commitment of students, faculty, and staff that we can expect to overcome the social and historical barriers facing LGBT students. I'm honored to be here, and excited about this new program. The president's office will be one of the first to display the "SAFE on Campus" sticker.

See what others had to say at the Kick Off Celebration

Download Quicktime to view the videos.
Duke Police Chief Clarence Birkhead
Vice President of Institutional Equity Sally Dickson
SAFE Student Coordinator Ayana Burnett

Advisory Board

An advisory board of faculty and staff was formed in the fall of 2000. The board was a sounding board that offered advice, provided constructive critique, assessment, recruitment of colleagues to become members and most importantly the board provided credibiility to the fledgling program.

Advisory Board Quotes

"My hope is that the SAFE program will enhance the Duke experience for all members of the campus community by creating an environment that is supportive and welcoming, particularly to those individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender."
Sue Wasiolek, Assistant Vice President, Student Affairs

"I am a member because I believe everyone in the world has the right, ethically and without harm to one's self or others, to be what one chooses. My code name for my belief is FREEDOM."
Houston Baker, Professor, English

"SAFE on Campus will make the environment a little safer for LGBT folks, feel a little more welcoming even if the LGBT person is very closeted. It will also begin the process of making 'allies' 'ho-hum' or 'of course.' "
Robin Buhrke, Counseling and Psychological Services

Advisory Board 2000-2001

• Stan Abe, Assistant Professor, Art
• Houston Baker, Professor, English
• Chief Clarence Birkhead, Duke Police
• Ayana Burnett, SAFE On Campus Coordinator/Intern
• Pam Brown, Director Student Services Fuqua School of Business
• Robert Bryant, Professor, Mathematics
• Robin Buhrke, Counseling and Psychological Services
• William Christmas, Associate Clinical Professor, Community & Family Medicine
• Sally Dickson, Vice President of Institutional Equity
• Elizabeth A. Gustafson, Law School Associate Dean for Student Affairs
• Karen Krahulik, Director, Center for LGBT Life
• Kerry Poynter, Program Coordinator, Center for LGBT Life
• Mark Rutledge, Presbyterian/UCC Campus Minister
• Sue Wasiolek, Assistant Vice President, Student Affairs
• Kerry Watson, Sr., Associate Chief Operating Officer, Duke University Hospital

Original Sponsors

• Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Life
• Office of Institutional Equity
• Duke Allies
• Vice President for Student Affairs
• AQUADuke
• DukeOUT
• GPSC
• Kenan Institute for Ethics

The program is now funded through the generous donations from alumni.