The Student Government Association and the Dean of Students Office are hosting a Town Hall meeting from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 29, in the UWF Conference Center (Building 22) ballroom A/B. The meeting is open to students, faculty, staff, alumni and the public.
- Announced Purpose: To “serve as a forum to provide information about the recommended revisions to the Student Code of Conduct.”
UnFulfilled Request
Last month, I reported that a change proposed to the University of West Florida Student Code of Conduct appeared to make it okay to sexually harass LGBTQ+ students and faculty. The public had an opportunity to voice its concerns through Sept. 3.
On Sept. 4, Inweekly requested from the Office of General Counsel the comments received on the proposed changes to the Student Code of Conduct. Twenty-one days later, the Office of General Counsel wrote, “Apologies for the delay, we are still working to gather and review all of the information you had requested. Some of which were voicemails that are taking some time to get converted into a format that can be sent digitally.”
On Friday, September 25, I told UWF that I would forgo the voicemails and asked that they send the written responses. As of 10:30 a.m., I have received nothing. Unless something changes before 5 p.m., I will not be able to inform you about concerns raised regarding the change before the town hall.
- Those attending the town hall today have been robbed of the opportunity of seeing how those may not be able to attend feel about the changes.
Equality Florida
Equality Florida is the largest civil rights organization in Florida dedicated to achieving full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) residents in the state. It advocates for the rights and protections of LGBTQ people through lobbying, grassroots organizing, education, coalition building, and legal action, working to eliminate harassment and discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Equality Florida opposed two proposed amendments.
The first proposal would amend Regulation 3.010 by changing the definition of “sexual harassment” in the Student Code of Conduct and removing explicit protections based on gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
- The organization argues this change is dangerous and regressive, potentially creating a hostile environment where LGBTQ students—who already face disproportionately high rates of harassment—feel less empowered to report abuse.
The second proposed change would repeal Regulation 6.0056, which established the university’s minority business program.
- Equality Florida contends this repeal would reduce participation of underrepresented entrepreneurs in procurement processes and send a troubling message that diversity and inclusion are not institutional priorities.
The letter urges the Board of Trustees to reject both amendments, emphasizing that maintaining anti-harassment protections and minority business programs are fundamental duties of a university committed to fostering a safe, diverse, and equitable learning environment, not partisan political positions.
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