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I am a former staff member of the Women's Center and an alum of Vanderbilt. Thank you for sharing your perspective about Nora and the LGBTQI Center. I do not think the focus or debate should focus on Nora as an individual or professional. I am glad you have had a great experience and formed an important mentoring relationship.

I think the problem that I have—and that some students have-- is that such a big decision was made without input from students, staff or faculty. The women's center has a 30 year history on campus with documentable success in helping make the campus a better place for everyone, especially women. When the administration makes a unilateral decision to create a shared directorship for 2 important centers who both serve marginalized populations, it is important to use a critical lens to really look at what that says to the campus and those the centers serve.

In your opinion, Nora will "breathe new life into the Women’s Center, which was sorely needed." You have a right to your opinion, and I certainly do not have enough of a frame of reference to know what Nora will bring to the table. New leadership can be energizing to organizations or can break down successful programs. Time will really tell on this front, and I truly hope that success will be on the horizon.

However, I will continue to correct the notion that the women's center, prior to the leadership and structural change, was not successful and vibrant. The women's center has been a voice for women and men on campus. It has provided a critical lens to the policies and structures at Vanderbilt that may adversely affect the women on campus since 1978. The success has been documented in the creation of a child center on campus for staff and faculty, a revised sexual assault policy which better supports victims/ survivors, parental leave policies for faculty, support and advocacy for women affected by violence or other crises and so much more. In 2007-08 academic year, the center served over 6,000 students, faculty and staff through programs, advocacy and support. In the 2008-09 academic year under much turmoil of an interim director and all of the uncertainty, the staff and students of the women's center continued to provide service to over 6,000 students, staff, faculty and community members. Last academic year had the largest attendance in history at Take Back the Night, had 3 sold out nights to Vagina Monologues (900 people), and hosted a speak-out for women about the political status of women in Tennessee which garnered local and national coverage.

While you are entitled to your opinion, and may have had no interest or concern about the women's center, it has been a vibrant and important center to many. Students who do have concerns about this change should not be silenced, punished or stigmatized. Community members who speak out about their concerns should not have a response that reminds them about the monetary sponsorship that Vanderbilt provides to them. Staff members should not be in fear of losing their jobs because they have opinions or suggestions that differ from the administration. Vanderbilt is a top academic institution that should welcome and support freedom of expression and debate. The fact that students are speaking up (however small or large in numbers) about something important to them should be celebrated as an academic success.

So thank you, Andrew, for your perspective and opinion. I celebrate that you are making your voice heard. Though I do not agree with everything you have to say, at least we can find some common ground that the voices of students should be heard yours included.