Our Mission:
To educate individuals to think and act as ethical leaders and responsible citizens in the global community.

Our Vision:
To create a world-class, values-centered university experience and responsible citizens in the global community.

Our Core Values:
TCU values academic achievement, personal freedom and integrity, the dignity and respect of the individual, and a heritage of inclusiveness, tolerance, and service.

I like seeing values in action. Well, let me get more specific:

I like seeing values in action that are positive, ethical, and progressive.

So last week when I saw that TCU was developing the DiverCity Q Living and Learning Community I was excited. When I saw that it was pulled from a statement by the chancellor it made more sense to me.

"TCU will not launch any new living learning communities at this time," TCU Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr., said in a statement. "Instead we will assess whether the concept of housing residential students based on themes supports the academic mission of the institution as well as our objective to provide a total university experience."

So I’m suggesting TCU change their core values to the following:

TCU values assessment before any diversity or LBGTQ initiative takes place, personal freedom that adheres to mainstream oppressive social norms, the dignity and respect of the individual except for the eight students already signed up for the community, and a heritage of exclusiveness, intolerance, and disservice.

Last week, it was announced that Texas Christian University would create a DiverCity Q Living Learning Community for LGBT issues within the campus housing options. Eight students had already committed to the housing program. The "Living Learning Community" concept has been a successful model at many other colleges and universities across the country. The program supports diverse student populations as well as provides a meaningful way to learn within a living learning community atmosphere. Such communities have been developed around religious issues, ethnic/racial minorities, academic disciplines, athletics, international students, foreign languages, etc.

After the decision was announced last week, TCU received praise and controversy surrounding the decision to extend the current living learning communities to also have DiverCity Q. Today TCU Chancellor released this statement:

"TCU will not launch any new living learning communities at this time," TCU Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr., said in a statement. "Instead we will assess whether the concept of housing residential students based on themes supports the academic mission of the institution as well as our objective to provide a total university experience."

In reaction to this news and change in decision, Campus Pride Executive Director Shane Windmeyer released this official statement, as follows:

Congratulations to student leaders at Texas Christian University (TCU). TCU will provide theme housing for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues and is the first Texas college to do so. Campus Pride encourages colleges and universities to consider LGBT theme housing/communities as a way to support LGBT and ally students and ensure a safe living environment on campus.

Campus Pride is quoted in the Dallas Morning News article titled "TCU to provide special housing for gay, lesbian students" by Holly Hacker on Tuesday, April 7, 2009.

EXCERPT:

Texas Christian University offers special housing for students interested in world affairs. The environment. Foreign languages. And, starting this fall, gay and lesbian issues.

TCU is apparently the first campus in the state to reserve housing for gay students and straight students who support them. And that's earning kudos from advocates for gay students.

"It just basically says that TCU wants their campus to be safe for all students and wants everyone to feel welcomed," said Shane Windmeyer, executive director and founder of Campus Pride. The nonprofit group supports gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender college students.

Read the full article online at http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/040809...