At the end of this academic year, Brandeis University will be losing an invaluable resource that has irrevocably changed campus discourse; a resource that is both an integral and necessary piece of the University's purported mission of social justice, a resource that has saved the lives of many students who otherwise may have contemplated committing suicide, a resource that the administration at Brandeis is arbitrarily making the choice to get rid of. This resource is the program coordinator for sexuality and gender diversity, Jessamine Beal. At the end of this academic year, Beal will be leaving Brandeis and entering into a full-time, assistant director position at Suffolk University solely because the Brandeis administration has refused to create a full-time position for her.

Yet, that is not the worst part. Currently, there are no concrete plans to hire a new program coordinator for gender and sexuality. The Brandeis University administration chooses to ignore that the intentional absence of Beal's position is not only deplorable, but highly hypocritical, considering that Brandeis prides itself as a social-justice-oriented campus. Are Harvard University, Tufts University, Suffolk University, Massachusetts Institute Technology and Bridgewater State University known for their record on social justice? No, but they all have Queer Centers that receive secured university funding and at least one full-time staff person with a position similar to Beal's. In what seems to be an effort to save, the Brandeis higher-ups are choosing not to refill positions that they view as unnecessary resources, such as the program coordinator.

However, as the administration is frugally leaving positions unfilled due to apparent money restraints, there are many other projects on campus that are receiving funds. These projects include things such as replacing the carpeting in East Quad, campus landscaping and the recently-purchased iPads that students may rent from the library. However, how will an iPad serve me if I need a person on campus to counsel me who is knowledgeable about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer struggles? What use will new carpets in East do me if I am terrified of and overwhelmed by how my unconventional gender identity will allow me to function in a university setting? The staff at the Psychological Counseling Center currently on campus is not properly trained to deal with these issues and thus does not meet my needs, jeopardizing my, and many other members of the LGBTQ community's, mental health. Neither my professors nor the staff at Academic Services would understand, have experience with, or could properly address these potential issues simply because they are not trained to do so. Additionally, the Intercultural Center, while an ally, is focused mainly on problems of race and ethnicity, and by itself does not possess the resources needed to put on successful educational and social programming for LGBTQ students.

Beal's position is 20 hours a week, for 10 months of the year, and services the needs of students regarding LGBTQ issues on the Brandeis campus. Beal routinely has to deny meetings with in-need students because it is physically and financially impossible for Beal to be on campus as a resource for them as much as is needed. Even with Beal here, the need for her position heavily outweighs the support she is able to offer. If the position remains vacant, all of the students who currently rely on Beal as a resource will be left to fend for themselves.

Because of this, it is my belief that if someone less qualified and passionate than Beal were the program coordinator, then the position would ultimately fail to succeed in its mission. This is due to the qualifications and salary of her position being exceedingly low, while the level of qualification needed to be effective is exceedingly high. The only current requirements for the position are to hold a bachelor's degree in either women and gender studies or queer studies to be considered adequately qualified by the University. No prior training, counseling experience or graduate degree is needed. Think of the current Brandeis seniors who will soon be leaving the campus. Can you imagine them filling such an important position, fresh out of their undergraduate program, holding the lives of students in their hands? Somebody filling a position this important should be a trained and experienced conflict facilitator who has a deep understanding of the mental and physical needs of LGBTQ students. An undergraduate degree is not likely to provide one with this experience.

At the end of this academic year, Beal will be leaving Brandeis, but not by her own choice. If it were logistically possible for her to stay, then she would. Beal must leave because Brandeis chooses to ignore the necessity of her position. The administration is forcing the Brandeis student body to suffer a horrible disservice and are putting its mental and physical health at incredible risk. Does the Brandeis University administration care more for how attractive the University looks than for the safety of its students? I cannot answer that, but their actions speak louder than their empty calls for social justice ever will.
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