inclusivity

Student Health Services’ designation for LGBTQ+ health care practices is the latest recognition of ��ӽ紫ý’s inclusive campus environment

Shayla Brown — Thu, 30 May 2024 16:51:55 +0000

Student Health Services’ designation for LGBTQ+ health care practices is the latest recognition of ��ӽ紫ý’s inclusive campus environment Shayla Brown Thu, 05/30/2024 - 12:51

��ӽ紫ý’s Student Health Services (SHS) is one of 462 health care facilities to receive the “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer” designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2024 Healthcare Equality Index. 

“Medicine in general has a significant history of systemic inequality, so one of the big focuses of my job is to make sure that we are addressing those inequalities and promoting health equity,” said Megan Symanowitz, SHS’s Access to Research and Inclusive Excellence health equity lead nurse. “SHS is very enthusiastic about supporting our LGBTQ+ students and learning more about how to better serve that population.”

This year was ��ӽ紫ý’s first time applying for the designation, said Symanowitz.

Megan Symanowitz. Photo provided.

“It's something we've been working on at the clinic for years now in collaboration with the LGBTQ+ Resource Center and ��ӽ紫ý’s School of Nursing. They've really helped us to identify areas where we needed to serve this community better,” said Symanowitz, who is also an alumna of the School of Nursing.

For example, acknowledging the pronouns and chosen name of every individual is one area where staff received input and made improvements, she said.

“The center guided us in making in our electronic medical health records, so people are able to self-identify their sexuality, and trans or nonbinary statuses if they want,” said Symanowitz.

“That way from the very first time we interact with a student, we’re addressing them correctly and they're not constantly having to explain themselves.”

Their team also conducts Safe Zone training, name change clinics, trans health workshops, and provides regular updates on the best health practices for the LGBTQ+ community.

This designation, which exemplifies how ��ӽ紫ý facilities go above and beyond the average health care practices of LGBTQ+ patient care in higher education, is one of several inclusive recognitions ��ӽ紫ý has received.

Last year, ��ӽ紫ý was one of 30 universities in the United States and the only Virginia-based institute to be awarded a “best of the best” ranking by Campus Pride.

��ӽ紫ý also received a five-star Premiere Campus ranking by the Campus Pride Index, the highest possible ranking, said Josh Kinchen, director of LGBTQ+ Resources Center.

According to Forbes Advisor, ��ӽ紫ý is the #1 online LGBTQ+ friendly college of 2024.

Mary Lucal. Photo provided.

“Student Health Services' recent designation, coupled with Forbes Advisor naming us the top LGBTQ-friendly university, really speaks to the efforts of our faculty, staff, and students in making ��ӽ紫ý a place where everyone can be their authentic selves,” said Mary Lucal, vice president and chief human resources officer at ��ӽ紫ý.

As of August 2023, ��ӽ紫ý is one of 20 Division-I institutions to achieve a score of 100 on the Athletic Equity Index, in part due to efforts of the ��ӽ紫ý Athletics LGBTQ+ Student-Athlete Group.

“We often collaborate with athletics and offices like the resources center to expand our audience,” said Jake Kornfeld, a senior government international politics major and co-president of Pride Alliance, a registered student organization of ��ӽ紫ý.

“Our main goal is to provide safe spaces for healing and asking questions,” he said.

For example, the Pride Alliance organized an event where former Harvard swimmer Schuyler Bailar, the first transgender athlete to compete in on a NCAA Division I men’s team, came to speak at ��ӽ紫ý’s Fairfax Campus.

“He’s from the [D.C.] area, and he swam at ��ӽ紫ý’s pool as a kid. He shared his story about being a trans athlete. That was something that was really meaningful for a lot of people at ��ӽ紫ý,” said Kornfeld.

Josh Kinchen. Photo provided.

Collaborative efforts across different offices, affinity groups, and departments show ��ӽ紫ý’s commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and to promoting inclusivity and diversity.

Other resources for the health and safety of the LGBTQ+ community at ��ӽ紫ý include the LGBTQ+ Peer Mentoring Program, LGBTQ+ residential Learning Community, and the Safe Zone+ Workshop Series among others.

“What we want is for families and students to be able to choose ��ӽ紫ý as a place where they feel that they can be academically successful while also being who they are without fear of violence or discrimination, and thrive in their identity,” said Kinchen.

Topics

Student Health Services

Harmony in Diversity – Mason's Jazz Vocal Ensemble Hits the Global Stage

Lakin Raybuck — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 17:13:48 +0000

Harmony in Diversity – Mason's Jazz Vocal Ensemble Hits the Global Stage Lakin Raybuck Tue, 03/26/2024 - 13:13

In This Story

Dr. Darden Purcell

At ��ӽ紫ý Dewberry School of Music, the Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble, directed by Dr. Darden Purcell, has notably marked the past year with accolades that spotlight not just their musical aptitude but the inclusive spirit that defines the university.

This ensemble, distinctively open to auditions from across the university's diverse student body, stands as a living testament to ��ӽ紫ý's core ethos of inclusivity and the unique opportunities it fosters, perfectly embodying the "all together different" spirit that pulses through the campus.

The ensemble's journey through the year was nothing short of remarkable, crowned by winning the prestigious DownBeat Student Music Award for "Outstanding Performance—Large Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Undergraduate College" in spring 2023. This accolade, recognized globally, spotlighted the ensemble's exceptional talent and unwavering dedication, setting them apart in a fiercely competitive field with submissions spanning the globe.

Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble. Photo Credit: Joyce Boghosian

The ensemble's journey of achievements gracefully flowed into another standout moment as they carried the banner for ��ӽ紫ý at the Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) conference in November 2023. Standing as the university's singular musical voice at this event, they beautifully embodied the spirit and talent of Mason. The crescendo of their narrative hit a thrilling peak during their performance at the Jazz Education Network (JEN) conference in New Orleans, LA, in January 2024. Amidst a global gathering of talent, they stood out as one of only six Vocal Jazz groups chosen to perform, solidifying their place as a beacon of excellence in the international jazz community.

The ensemble's composition—comprising 15 dedicated members, including 11 vocalists alongside a rhythm section of piano, guitar, bass, and drums—mirrors the university's academic diversity. With students from Music Studies to Business and Creative Writing, the group exemplifies the rich tapestry of ��ӽ紫ý's student body, their varied backgrounds adding layers of depth and perspective to their music.

Preparing for such esteemed stages involved an intense rehearsal schedule, pushing the ensemble to explore a repertoire that was as challenging as it was rewarding. This included premieres written expressly for them by Mason Jazz faculty Dr. Shawn Purcell and pieces that demanded a high level of improvisation and professional skill, truly stretching their musical capabilities.

The ensemble's path to these prestigious platforms was paved by the generous support from the Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research (OSCAR) and the Dewberry School of Music Jazz Studies program, alongside proceeds from the annual Jazz4Justice concert. This backing is crucial, reflecting the university's investment in nurturing creative and scholarly pursuits.

Entering these highly competitive events required a submission process that mirrored the professional music world's rigor, emphasizing "live" and unedited performances. This stringent selection criterion underscores the ensemble's excellence and aligns with the university's dedication to authenticity and high standards.

For those within the Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble, the year was transformative, filled with opportunities beyond performances to personal and professional growth. The shared experiences, from rehearsals to stage, fostered a profound sense of unity, highlighting the ensemble's role as not just musicians but ambassadors of ��ӽ紫ý's inclusive culture.

Reflecting on the ensemble's achievements, it’s clear that their story is more than a sequence of musical triumphs. It's a narrative that celebrates the power of opportunity, diversity, and collaboration, reflecting Mason's supportive, dynamic, and diverse environment. Through their musical journey, the ensemble showcased their formidable talents and the rich, empowering backdrop of ��ӽ紫ý, where every student is encouraged to explore, perform, and excel.