To current students, incoming freshman and prospective students:

I write this letter to you, and to all people reading this newspaper, to point out the diversity present at SMU. Recently, Charlie McCaslin made disparaging remarks that have been addressed by him, College Republicans and Spectrum. While that issue is at rest, I feel that many outsiders to SMU and current students do not realize the acceptance a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) or questioning student can find on campus.

The video with the disparaging remarks and related Google searches might make one think that SMU is a close-minded, conservative Christian school. In fact, you can find articles that rank SMU as the 14th most homophobic in the nation according to Princeton Review. This view, that is seen online, does not represent the mindset of the entire school; while I don’t doubt that close-minded individuals can be found on campus, they do not represent the norm that I have encountered. Despite those groups at SMU who might promote suppressing expression of sexuality and gender equality, I hope that this letter and your own personal explorations will prove that going to this university can be a time of discovery and acceptance.

If you had issues in high school or are still struggling to figure out who you are, I can tell you right here and now that this is where it can get better for you. There is no need to hide or to worry about what people will think of you. Even as a non-Greek, cargo-shorts-wearing, irreligious student, I have found acceptance and friendship all over campus.

As Dallas has one of the largest gay communities in the nation, SMU recognizes the need for protection and equality for its LGBTQ students, faculty, and staff. SMU already offers domestic partner benefits for its employees and has sexual orientation listed in its nondiscrimination policy. SMU, as well as sponsoring the Women’s Center, also has a strong network of Allies (LGBTQ-friendly faculty and students) that help educate and promote a safe and comfortable environment for everyone on campus. You can even work to further equality on campus and worldwide as a part of Amnesty International, the Embrey Human Rights campaign, Spectrum (the LGBTQ group here on campus), Women’s Interest Network and other great organizations that will accept you for who you are.

While you may currently hear homophobic remarks at home or from friends and acquaintances, I can confidentially say that Spectrum works to fight such expression of emotion on campus, and we hope these assertions will be a relic of the 20th century. For incoming freshman and those considering this university, please know that you can find your place and not feel oppressed.

I mentioned that it can get better when you come to SMU; I want to emphasize that it gets better when you’re able to express yourself, when you’re able to freely associate with others, and when you’re able to stand up for what you feel and believe in. So let your voice be heard, because SMU does listen and is here for us, the students. For instance, there are efforts to create an LGBTQ senate seat – though currently delayed until Fall semester. On top of this, Spectrum is observing the National Day of Silence this Friday. I hope to see many people participate and to be more conscious of the derogatory language that some people can so flippantly use.

Sincerely,

Vladimir Jovanovic

Vladimir Jovanovic is a junior computer science and psychology double major. He can be reached for comments or questions at [email protected].