As another academic year comes to a close for students, it is always interesting to look back at how GLBT issues on campus have progressed. This year in particular was a turbulent time, with a homophobic comic strip published in The Observer, 200 student and faculty member marching for GLBT rights, and another failed attempt by students at gaining approval for a GLBT club.
One other small incident occurred that I feel should not go untold. In the past, GALA-ND/SMC officers have had the opportunity to meet with the current university president to discuss GLBT issues on campus. During the 90s, for instance, GALA-ND/SMC officers met with then-president Monk Malloy. I personally met with Monk Malloy in 2004 after the first Queer Film Festival.
However, Father Jenkins has yet to meet with GALA-ND/SMC. After he became president in 2005, I immediately reached out to Father Jenkins to discuss the Queer Film Festival. At the time, he said he was “too busy” and directed me to meet with his advisors (which I did). Flash forward to 2008 and 2009, where GALA-ND/SMC again reached out to Father Jenkins for a meeting to no avail. This time he referred us to Dolly Duffy, the Associate Executive Director of the Alumni Association. While our meeting with Dolly was productive in terms of alumni interaction, she was not at liberty to discuss GLBT issues on campus with current students.
This past year, we made yet another attempt to meet Father Jenkins. While we let him know that we could work around his schedule, he still turned down our request. This time his reasoning was that the “did not directly meet with alumni groups.” He again referred us to Dolly Duffy, however we felt that another meeting with her was not warranted.
While I highly doubt that Father Jenkins does not meet with other alumni groups, that is besides the point. What matters is this: by not meeting with us, Father Jenkins is sending a similar message to GALA-ND/SMC as his administration does to the campus community - we don’t see you as equal. When there is not an approved student group or equal protection from discrimination and harassment, then students are not being legitimized as full members of Notre Dame. Similarly, when the officers of GALA-ND/SMC are not viewed as “important” enough to get 30 minutes of Father Jenkin’s time, we are also not being treated as equals.
Many at Notre Dame have suggested that perhaps Father Jenkins is just too “tired” from all the heat he has taken over President Obama’s visit a year ago. They say he needs a break from controversy. Imagine if this was the same approach that Obama himself took when it came to difficult issues. If Father Jenkins is afraid to stand up for what is right and just, then what exactly is his job?