LGBTQIA+ support groups, part of the LGBTQ+ campus resources (pictured above), will no longer meet due to lack of utilization by students. (Xavier Delcid/photo editor)
Support groups for LGBTQIA+ identifying students were abruptly suspended until further notice as of Oct. 9, according to an email sent to the student body from the Office of LGBTQ Programs and Services. Q’necctions, SHADES and T-Time are discontinued for the rest of the academic year and may only return if there is enough student interest.
Q’necctions is open to all LGTBQIA+ identifying students, SHADES is for queer students of color and T-Time is for transgender or non-binary students.
Coordinator of LGBTQ+ Programs Services Eunisha Tucker explained that it became apparent this semester that not many students were utilizing the support groups offered.
While Tucker didn’t want to have to discontinue the groups, it came down to attendance.
“Support groups can’t exist without students actually attending them,” Tucker said. “I would moderate all three [groups] and I would end up being the only one. Or one or two students would come to one of the three.”
Due to low numbers, Tucker realized it would be just as effective to meet with students one on one in their office and cancel the scheduled group meetings.
In addition to few students utilizing the support groups, Tucker was also leading them on their own time. Tucker is a part-time member of the college faculty, meaning they only work 25 hours a week, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each weekday. Because the support groups took place from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and would put them over 25 hours a week, Tucker was conducting the groups on a volunteer basis.
In the meantime, Tucker and the Office of LGBTQ Programs and Services interns will continue to attend Pride Alliance meetings to let students know that these support groups still exist, they’re just not running currently.
“If enough students really start to rally behind it and say ‘we want these support groups and we’re really going to utilize them’ then I’ll bring them back. They would probably start up again the first, second week of February,” Tucker said.
Students who may have utilized the support groups are welcome to come in and talk with Tucker in their office. They also know that LGBTQIA+ students often use their own friend groups and Pride Alliance for any help or support they made need. The counseling center in Lauderdale is also an option but, as Tucker acknowledged, the center often struggles to meet the needs of every student seeking their services.
Tucker said they hope there will be a renewed interest in the support groups, especially as they are stepping down from their position at the end of the semester to begin graduate school and would like programs to be in place for whoever takes over the role.
“Hopefully students do reach out and they know that we want this [too]. It would be really beneficial for the next person to occupy this position,” Tucker said. “Students need the support but they can’t be given the support if they’re not taking advantage of what’s there. I just hope students start expressing some interest."