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>> S.A.F.E.
GROUP: All of us here are members of S.A.F.E, the Student Alliance for Equality.
We are just some of the more than 50 members of the student organization here at the University
of Central Oklahoma.
>> S.A.F.E FEMALE:This student organization at Central has been here since 1989 to help
support and serve students and faculty at Central.
>> We are here to let you know that it does get better and S.A.F.E.
is here to help make it better.”
>> BRANDON: My name is Brandon White.
I’m a student at the University of Central Oklahoma.
I am President and a member of the Student Alliance for Equality which stands for S.A.F.E.
>> We recently helped change the non-discrimination policy on campus to include both sexual orientation
and gender identity.
We’re the first campus in Oklahoma to do so, and I think that speaks leaps and bounds
of the climate that we’ve created here on campus through our faculty and staff members,
our students.
It’s truly an inclusive and wonderful environment to learn.
>> DR.
MACEY: My name is David Macey.
I’m a professor and chair of the English Department here at UCO.
I’m also the faculty advisor for the Student Alliance For Equality, S.A.F.E.
>> In addition to being the faculty advisor to S.A.F.E., I’m a gay man and a professional
teacher.
It’s been a long, strange, at times bumpy road.
But, I finally feel at home here at Central.
Experience has taught me: It does get better.
>> ASHLEY: I’m Ashley Combs.
I’m a member of the Association of Women’s Studies and a senior sociology major at the
University of Central Oklahoma.
>> Sexual and social equality isn’t a privilege, but a right.
To be able to live, learn and love in a supportive community is essential in building a world
with the same attributes.
UCO is one of the most diverse campuses I’ve seen.
We celebrate the LGBT community, we also celebrate cultures and ethnicity to celebrate and include
everyone.
>> BRITTANY: My name is Brittany President and I’m a student at the University of Central
Oklahoma.
I’m a member of SPB which is the Student Programming Board.
>> At UCO, we’re all family that love and support t one another.
You can be who you are here with no judgement.
The only name you’ll ever be called is Broncho.
And, that is why it gets better at UCO.
>> JENNA: I am Jenna Lutz, the Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life at the University
of Central Oklahoma.
>> I'm here to tell you that it doesn't matter your race, gender or sexual orientation; here
at Central, we're an inclusive community.
Our students, faculty and staff are here for you because it really does 'get better.'
>> COLE: I am Cole Stanley, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Director
of Student Life at the University of Central Oklahoma.
>> In order for us to succeed as a campus community, a community of caring, we must
encourage the dialogue to help everyone reach their full potential.
I can’t promise that it’ll always be easy, but I can promise that it will get better.
>> MESHAWN: I’m MeShawn and this is Lindsay, and we’re from the office of Diversity and
Inclusion at the University of Central Oklahoma.
>> Winston Churchill said, ‘Success is not final, failure is not fatal.
It’s the courage to continue that counts’.
Know that at Central, you don’t have to be courageous alone.
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion, as well as other offices, departments, faculty,
staff and students are here to encourage you and support you.
>> LINDSDAY: Here at the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, we celebrate differences.
I promise you, it gets better.
>> DR.
MILLER: I’m Amanda Miller and I’m Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of
Central Oklahoma.
>> I know first hand that it can be hard being different.
People make fun at you for the things that you study, or the things that you like to
do, or even just for being who you are.
Here at the University of Central Oklahoma, we’ll celebrate your differences.
There’s a place for everyone to fit in.
And, once you do find that niche; it gets better.
In fact, it gets pretty great.
>> DR.
GAGE: I’m Kathryn Gage, Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Central
Oklahoma.
>> The other day, somebody asked me, ‘What’s exceptional about the University of Central
Oklahoma?’
And, I said, ‘It’s people.’
They’re warm, they’re genuine, they’re welcoming.
I’ve been at UCO for many years, and I find that one thing never changes.
It’s part of who we are and it’s part of our tradition.
>> KAY: We’re the Campus Activities staff, along with Buddy, at the University of Central
Oklahoma.
And we’re here to let you know, ‘It Gets Better’.
>> COURNTEY: Whether you’re gay, straight, bisexual, transgender, or questioning, we’re
here to support you at Central.
>> CAMPUS ACTIVITIES MALE: Through programs, events, or just a listening ear, feel free
to use our resources.
>> CAMPUS ACTIVITIES FEMALE: It really does.
>> CAMPUS ACTIVITIES: Get better; it gets better.
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