Broad Spectrum Veterinary Student Association: February 2012

About Our Organization

Mission Statement
Broad Spectrum Veterinary Student Association’s mission is to connect, support and empower community for LGBT+* students and allies across veterinary education.
*LGBT + will be used as an inclusive acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer,Questioning, Asexual and others who self-identify on the sexual orientation and/or gender expression continuums.

Vision Statement
Broad Spectrum desires greater support and a sense of community for all LGBT+ students and allies throughout veterinary medical education. We actively strive to counter episodes of bigotry and marginalization with positive messages of diversity and inclusion. We have healthy, supportive and encouraging relationships with pre-veterinary, veterinary and graduate students, faculty, staff and administrators. We are known for advocating for the respect and equality of seen and unseen LGBT+ members in the academic veterinary community and beyond. We contribute to the development of safe and welcoming veterinary school environments for pre- and current veterinary students. Broad Spectrum makes veterinary schools more inclusive for all students, especially LGBT+ students. We accomplish this by starting important and courageous conversations about LGBT+ inclusion, in addition to maintaining much needed support for LGBT+ students in veterinary medicine.

Our History
We were founded in 2011 at the SAVMA Symposium hosted by UC Davis. The name 'Broad Spectrum' came out of a calculated attempt to be as inclusive as possible to any student who falls anywhere on the spectra of sexuality, sex, or gender. We welcome all students no matter their sexuality, gender identity, or gender expression. And yes, allies, this means we welcome you, too!

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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

SAVMA SYMPOSIUM!

Despite our interweb silence, Broad Spectrum has been up to many things! If you're traveling to the Student American Veterinary Medical Association Symposium (SAVMA Symposium) at Purdue this year, you should definitely come find us. Here are the events we'll be co-hosting and/or checking out!

http://savmasymposium2012.com/

Friday March 16, 2012

LGVMA and Broad Spectrum Happy Hour

5:30pm-7:30pm - Egyptian Cafe Hookah bar (may switch 5-7)

http://www.theegyptianindy.com/

Join the LGVMA (Lesbian and Gay Veterinary Medical Association) and Broad Spectrum (the LGBTQ Veterinary Student Network) for drinks and appetizers before you head out for the Bar Crawl. Everyone and anyone is welcome!

Saturday March 17, 2012

Room 214A in the Stewart Center of the Purdue

8:00am-9:00am Broad Spectrum Leadership Breakfast sponsored by LGVMA

Join us for a chance to meet LGVMA (Lesbian and Gay Veterinary Medical Association) members and the veterinary students of Broad Spectrum (LGBTQ student network) and enjoy coffee and breakfast thanks to the generosity of the LGVMA. Please RSVP to nikki.wright121@gmail.com so we have an idea of our numbers!

9am-10am Broad Spectrum Annual Meeting

Does your school have an LGBTQ group? Are you interested in starting one? Just curious about what Broad Spectrum is about and up to? Join us for our meeting and help us celebrate our first year anniversary as an organization!

10am-11am "Poverty of Knowledge" Lecture by Dr. Malcolm Kram, DVM sponsored by Pfizer

A lecture on the value of LGBT clients to a veterinary practice, how to create an inclusive environment, why it is important and ways to identify a friendly and inclusive LGBT practice.

11am-12pm Initial Findings from the AAVMC/AVMA Student Climate and Curriculum Survey

A Lecture and Discussion by Lisa Greenhill and Dr. Paige Charmichel, DVM

In 2011, the AAVMC and AVMA conducted a landmark study of campus climate at each of the 28 US schools and colleges of veterinary medicine. The AAVMC-AVMA DiVersity Matters Climate Survey provided individual institutions with fundamental data on veterinary student comfort and tolerance levels with respect to difference and student perceptions on institutional support and bullying behavior. This session will provide a national overview of key findings from the survey and insights on lessons learned and new programmatic directions based on the data.

12pm - 2pm Diversity Forum (Location TBA)

3pm - 4:30pm VOICE National Open Meeting and Elections with Lunch

Does your school have a VOICE chapter? Curious about possible event ideas? Are you interested in starting a chapter at your school? Join the Veterinary Students as One in Culture and Ethnicity for our annual meeting and elections over lunch and learn more about how to get involved!"

What else we've been up to:

Steadily interviewing more amazing veterinarians. We'll be posting more interviews soon! If you are interested in being interviewed, let us know!
Brainstorming for an article on the changing meaning of "queer." Do you identify as queer? Do you have strong feelings about the word? Email us, we'd love to hear your perspective!