The Lavender Floor
"Everyone deserves a home that provides welcome, security and comfort."
"ODU's effort to provide a harbor for young people marks an admirable advance in fighting discrimination..."
"ODU spokeswoman Jennifer Mullen Collins said the school based the concept on studies that showed students with support networks of people with similar interests had higher rates of retention, higher graduation rates and, in some cases, higher grade-point averages."
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Description
The Lavender Floor is one of ODU's newest special interest housing communities (SIHCs). These communities offer you the opportunity to experience life with a small group of students who share similar majors, cultures, or interests. These groups can request that Housing & Residence Life set aside a floor section, building, or area within a residential community. During the application process, each group shares their vision of how their SIHC can have a positive impact on ODU and the overall residential experience.
The Lavender Floor was proposed by the Safe Space Committee after reviewing data from a Spring 2011 survey of current students, who identified a need for more visible on-campus resources for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) students and their straight allies.
Vision
The Lavender Floor will produce Monarch citizens who are multiculturally competent, civic-minded, and empowered. Participants will serve as goodwill ambassadors and agents of change to educate and transform their communities.
Target Audience
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students and their straight allies; mixed population of class standings; students may opt into this program (by self-selection).
How to Sign Up
You may fill out our simple online interest form or contact safespace@odu.edu. Include your name and Univerity ID Number (UIN). You must fill out an application for on-campus housing, too.
Facility
12-20 spaces in the Quad. Residence hall security features include card-swipe access to the building, front desk staff, and live-in residence life staff members. Although we are not able to offer gender neutral housing, we hope to provide a supportive environment for the expression (and understanding) of gender identity.
Mission
The Lavender Floor is a supportive environment for the self-expression of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer students and allies. This living and learning community facilitates academic success and personal development through programming, mentorship, service, and leadership opportunities.
Goals
· Increase retention
· Provide a supportive network of students, faculty, staff, and community members
· Create opportunities for self-exploration and intellectual discourse
· Promote holistic health and wellness
· Facilitate mentorship opportunities
· Create a sense of belonging
· Engage students in the community
Learning Outcomes
As a result of participating in the Lavender Floor, students will:
· Develop skills in mentorship, advocacy, service, and leadership
· Engage in meaningful interactions with allies on campus and in local agencies
· Enhance their self-efficacy, self-awareness and acceptance
· Learn strategies to improve their lifelong social and physical health
· Understand historical and modern societal trends of the LGBTQ community
· Understand and advocate for the full range of gender identities and sexual orientations
· Understand emerging trends regarding LGBTQ individuals in the workplace
· Understand the psychology of human development, particularly sexual and identity development, and how sexual orientation fits into these theories
· Learn about recent developments in the study of genetics and brain development as they relate to the LGBTQ community
· Understand public policy - both local and national in regards to LGBTQ rights
· Develop appreciate for diversity and intercultural competence
