LGBTQA+ Visibility in The University of Texas at Austin vs. North Lake College
Transferring from a community college has opened many doors throughout my academic career. North Lake College is part of the Dallas County Community College District, located in Irving, Texas; a more conservative environment compared to Austin. After living such a drastic change in such little time I’ve been able to identify differences that are prominent in both The University of Texas at Austin (UT) and my previous school North Lake College (NLC). Through my involvement within academic life, resources and student organizations I have witnessed the different social traits unique to NLC and UT. Furthermore, I am able to evaluate these differences as a member of the
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According to an article from USA Today: ““Advocate” chose Austin as one of its 2012 Gayest Cities in America” and goes on describing the city as diverse, youthful and progressive. Austin’s welcoming environment is relevant because residing in a progressive and gay-friendly city will likely influence the mind of those who inhabit the university; increasing the likeliness of queer people being accepted within the community. According to “The State of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin”, a report written by the Queer Students Alliance in 2006: “The mission of The University of Texas is defined by its core values, learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity and responsibility as well as the core purpose to transform lives for the benefit in society." (p.14) during the time I’ve been attending to the University, I can testify that students are constantly being encouraged to uphold these standards. I believe that by pushing students to honor these values, the university promotes a progressive atmosphere of acceptance and experimentation that leads the members of its community to feel more comfortable being queer. As a Women’s and Gender Studies major I have not only experienced several classes concerning LGBTQA+ issues but have also noticed a different student organizations targeted towards members of the LGBTQA+ community. I have been exposed to Delta Lambda Phi, a fraternity for queer men on campus, as well as many other organizations such as Queer People of Color and Allies that target the LGBTQA+ population. UT also counts with resources dedicated to members of the LGBTQA+ community such as the Gender and Sexuality Center which, according to the university’s Division of Diversity and Community Engagement’s website, has as a mission: “to provide opportunities for all members of the UT Austin community to explore, organize, and
In Vicki L. Eaklor’s Queer America, the experiences of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgender people in the years since the 1970s gay liberation movement are described as a time of transformation and growth. The antigay movement, threatened, now more than ever, created numerous challenges and obstacles that are still prevalent today. Many of the important changes made associated with the movement were introduced through queer and queer allied individuals and groups involved in politics. Small victories such as the revision of the anti discrimination statement to include “sexual orientation”, new propositions regarding the Equal Rights Amendment and legalized abortion, were met in turn with growing animosity and resistance from individuals and groups opposed to liberal and
One major decision one must make after exiting high school is whether to go to a university or go to community college. In the article “Two Year Are Better Than Four,” written by Liz Addison. She expressed her opinion on the significance of community colleges in comparison with the university. She stated that community college do not receive the acknowledgment and appreciation that they deserve. “what’s the matter with colleges?,” (Addison 255).
There is arguably no group that has faced more discrimination in modern society than queer people of color. Although often pushed together into a single minority category, these individuals actually embrace multiple racial and sexual identities. However, they suffer from oppression for being a part of both the ethnic minority and queer communities. As a result, members are abused, harassed, and deprived of equal civil rights in social and economic conditions (Gossett). In response to the multiple levels of discrimination they face in today’s society, queer people of color have turned to the establishment and active participation of support organizations, resources, and policies to advocate for overall equality.
How imperative is it that one pursues a traditional college experience? Although it might appear that Charles Murray and Liz Addison are in agreement that the traditional college experience is not necessary for everyone, Addison provides a more convincing argument that higher education is necessary in some form. This is seen through Addison’s arguments that college is essential to growing up, that education is proportional to the life one lives, and that community college reinvents the traditional college experience. Not only does Addison have her own opinions about college, but Murray does as well.
For the past few decades, receiving a college education has been a stressed importance in today’s society. However it is often misunderstood that attending a 4-year school is the best and only way to go. Following this belief, many students attend these schools with out being academically, financially, or mentally prepared. Unfortunately students like this have failed to over look the more realistic options available to them, such as community college. Junior college is a resource available to anyone regardless of his or her previous academic performance. The variety of courses and the inexpensive tuition gives students flexibility to explore the many options presented to them. Though Universities hold more prestige, community colleges provide endless opportunities for students who aren’t fully prepared for a 4-year education
As the high school chapter is coming to a close, many students have to make a decision that will affect the rest of their lives. Hopefully, for many that decision is to enroll in a college and attain a higher education. However, as tuition costs rise, students have to take a second look at their options for a better future. A community college is that second look for many because it is the less expensive option. From 2007-2009, enrollment for community colleges has increased by 24 percent (“College costs and the CPI”). Students aren’t choosing a college for educational purposes because they are overwhelmed by financial issues. They are attending community colleges so they will be able to graduate with a lower debt. Some seniors have wanted to attend a certain university all their life and they work toward that goal through grade school; however, they are hindered by soaring tuition for that college. Students should be able to attend a private university if they mee...
While I wish finding my way around the school was my only problem, I was faced with some internal challenges. As the school year started, my friends slowly started to leave to these “big shot” colleges or simply move away to other community colleges. I, too, wanted the complete “college experience” somewhere in Arizona or across the country; yet I felt stuck and unaccomplished. I also felt jealousy which could have been because I did not get to decorate my dorm room.While talking about dedicating hard work to your education, Gina Rodriguez said “Just remember, during those times of fear and doubt, that you are right now discovering your true strength.” And in those times of doubt, I reminded myself why I could not just move and leave everything behind. The root of my challenges and concerns are my family. As I enrolled as a full time student, my family was fighting some financial problems which created marriage troubles for my parents. I could not leave at a time like this. I knew it was not the first time my parents were talking divorce but somehow I knew it was best to stay. I got financial aid from the school which saved me the fuss of asking my parents for money. It really meant so much to not put another worry on their
This shift in university life has caused the emergence of a more focused and hard-working student body. There are those from past generations who will look at the happenings of colleges today and ridicule this change. And even after moving through the nostalgic haze that surrounds the memories of the past, the differences can still be seen, but it should be known that today's students are just adapting to the system that has already been established for them. This systematic change is to be expected. Considering that the world is not the same as it was in the 1960s, why would we assume that an institution would be exactly the same as it was
While universities require their applicant to be somehow professional before they admit them, community colleges allow their students to enter the college experience as rookies-inexperienced- and give them the opportunity to reach professionalism. Addison herself writes “you will grow up with your first English class a bit more with your first psychology class, a whole lot more with your first biology, physics, chemistry”(257). Addison’s point is that community college are built in a way to help its student start from where they finished high school without having to get use to a whole new environment. How can we expect an adolescent to focus on their studies while they have a lot of changes going on in their life? Is it even possible for them to succeed with all those changes going on in their life? In Addison’s perspective, that is why community colleges still matter, because they can help those student, who have to learn to live like adults while their academic success is not affected.
Entry to community college allows just that. Addison explains, “just follow any one of the 1,655 road signs, and pop your head inside—yes, independent film, a first independent thought, a first independent study” (212). Many potential college prospects are turned away because this self-discovery found in community college cannot be found in private college; however, Addison insists that community college is the golden ticket to regain these would-be scholars. To begin, acceptance is necessary for admittance to many colleges—not community college. In the words of Addison, “down at X.Y.C.C. it is still possible to enter the college experience as a rookie” (213). Any student desiring education, preparation, and self-discovery does not need to look any further than community college, which, for some students, is the only shot at the college experience. On top of this, community colleges provide opportunities like no college—public or private—could. Community colleges provide introductory courses that could not be found in regular institutions; this allows students to explore and get their feet under them. To find and pursue an interest proves more difficult at a college because intense classes are provided from the beginning, whether students have declared a major or have yet to decide. In sum, Addison claims that an atmosphere designed
In this case study, Bobby transitions from a small rural town to a large liberal university. This transition affects many areas of his life including his world-view, social life, and academics. Coping with the transition can be challenging, but with the right strategies it can make it easier. This document will provide a brief analysis of Bobby’s transition and identify coping strategies that can be used.
On college campuses across the country, LGBTQ students of color are flourishing, finding new opportunities to express themselves.
Community colleges are, historically, known for servicing the more non-traditional population, such as adults who work full-time and individuals seeking fast-paced trade-skills, a successful enterprise (AACC, 2013). In a community college setting located within the Southern Region of Texas, there is an opportunity to study the social expectations and educational needs of Generation Z relative to their college experience compared to other identified groups of students enrolled in the institution. Generation Z accounts for less than 20% of the community college full-time enrollment (AACC, 2013). According to the Daily Nation (2016), they are described as independent, stubborn, pragmatic and always in a rush, Generation Z will challenge Community
After learning and reviewing the action continuum chart in this class it brought a specific quote to my mind, “if you’re not a part of the solution, you’re a part of the problem,” while I was aware of other forms of oppression, I only really involved myself with topics and intervention tactics that dealt with racism and sexism, as these were the two areas directly affecting me and my life. One of the topics in this course that stood out to me was the discussion on transgender oppression, before coming to college, information about the transgender community and even sectors of the LGBTQ community was somewhat taboo to me..
Academic Search Premier. Web. 11 May 2014. Discounted Dreams: High Hopes and Harsh Realities at America’s Community College. Prod.