Safe Zone Becomes Official University Committee

Story by: Ryan Moriarty

The University of Montevallo is supporting it’s diverse campus by making Safe Zone an official University Committee. 

Safe Zone was a program created by faculty members in 2011; the idea came about after some teachers saw similar programs at other universities, committee chair, Dr. Rickel said.

Dr. Rickel, Safe Zone Committee Chair

The program provides visibility and support for the LGBTQ community on campus through trainings and Safe Zone stickers. 

While Safe Zone started as a “pet project”, Rickel says it has grown through the hard work of many faculty over the years, allowing them to be established as a university committee.

“It’s great, because it provides us more stability and more permanence on campus,” said Dr. Rickel. 

Safe Zone recently did a training on September 15th, student Virginia Hutchinson says there was a good turnout of faculty and students alike.

Safe Zone Flyer

“I have a lot of friends that are a part of the LGBTQ community, I have friends that go to Montevallo in that community, I have friends at the University of Alabama. I know a lot of people that have faced a lot of discrimination because of their sexual or gender identity. I think it is just a really important issue that we all focus on, equality for all people regardless of what they identify as,” said Hutchinson.

Safe Zone trainings are completely voluntary for faculty and students, but required for RA’s. All who attend a training are given a sticker to display, if they choose to do so. Safe Zone stickers indicate a person is safe to talk to.

Safe Zone hopes to have more trainings this year as well as conduct a campus climate survey to see where their efforts are needed most. Check out Safe Zone's website to find out more about trainings and their activity on campus.