Ithaca College

A cross division group of IC staff and alumni collaborated to present during the SPECTRUM conference in August. SPECTRUM is the nation's largest education conference devoted to preventing and responding to sexual and interpersonal violence against members of the LGBTQI+ community. It is hosted by the State University of New York.

Speakers were

• Sam Elebiary, BOLD Program Director
• Hierald Osorto, Executive Director for Student Equity and Belonging and Director for the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life
• Linda Koenig, Title IX Coordinator
• Omar Stoute, Deputy Title IX Coordinator
• Cal Goodin '19, and
• Luca Maurer Director, Center for LGBT Education, Outreach & Services.
• Phil Garin, Assistant Counsel, served as session convener.

The presentation, Queering Connection, Advocacy, Consent and Relationships in a Virtual World, focused on ways IC pivoted quickly to help students engage after COVID-19 suddenly shifted the ways we live, study, work, play, and worship. Speakers shared insights and practices used to create virtual programming and services. Highlighted offerings included a discussion series about intersectional social justice movements, a program about transgender men and intimate partner violence, Title IX training and resources, a Virtual Pride series, and sessions designed to strengthen student belonging and connectedness through a multidimensional student wellness model.    

This year SPECTRUM (Sexual & Interpersonal Violence Prevention Education, Capacity Building, and Training in Response for Underserved Sexual and Gender Minorities) took place digitally, resulting in more attendees participating from throughout the US and Canada as well as across New York state. More than 300 attendees participated in this live session, while more engaged asynchronously throughout the week.