1. Housing>
2. Elizabeth Waters Hall>
3. Diversity

Elizabeth Waters Diversity

The Justice League

• Are you interested in learning more about issues of diversity and social justice?
• Are you interested in exploring your personal identities and how they impact your views and experiences?
• Are you interested in becoming an ally to others?
• Are you interested in becoming an advocate of social justice?
• Are you interested in helping to create an inclusive community in Elizabeth Waters?

Then the Justice League is for you!

What is the Justice League?

The Justice League is a group composed of students who are interested in issues of social justice – exploring their own identity and learning about others different than themselves. Students involved with the Justice League work closely with their peers and Liz Waters staff members to examine issues of privilege, oppression, discrimination, and social justice.

What does it mean to be part of the Justice League?

Being a member of the Justice League means you are committed to making sure your community is a safe and welcoming place for all students to learn. It means you care about yourself and those around you and have a genuine desire to learn about yourself and others. You do not need to have any prior knowledge about diversity and social justice to start learning!

Safe Zone

Safe Zone is a program designed to help people learn more about sexual orientation and gender identity in an effort to help build community allies. An ally is a person who is committed to making their community a safe and supportive learning environment. Allies promote social justice through awareness and understanding about sexual orientation and gender identity.

Safe Zone members believe that everyone deserves a safe place to live and learn.

A person who displays a Safe Zone sign:

• Works to understand the needs of LGBT students
• Promotes awareness and understanding about sexual orientation and gender identity
• Is a confidential, active and non-judgmental listener
• Promises to not disclose someone's sexual orientation without their permission
• Provides support, compassion and understanding for LGBT or questioning students
• Promotes a sense of community
• Knows their limitation and how much support they are able to provide
• Is aware of resources and support services for LGBT students
• Believes it is important for UW-Housing to have the Safe Zone Program for LGBT residents
• Will replace their Safe Zone sign if it is defaced or torn down
• May or may not be LGBT

A person who displays a Safe Zone sign is:

• NOT an expert on sexual orientation or gender identity
• NOT mistake-free
• NOT a counselor

VoiceIt!

Bias Incident/Harassment Reporting

Bias Incidents, Hate Behavior, Hate Crimes, and Harassment are very serious matters which destroy a sense of community, impede students' ability to be successful at UW-Madison, and often have an impact well beyond any intended victims. The following definitions provide an introduction to the issue of Bias Incidents.

Hate Behavior is a broad category that includes any behavior or speech that is motivated by bias or prejudice. The following definitions outline different types of hate behavior. These may be thought of different places on the same continuum and all contribute to the sense of safety and respect in our residence halls. Hate behavior is motivated in part or in whole by hostility towards the victim's real or perceived ethnicity, national origin, immigrant status, religious belief, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, political affiliation, race, or any other physical or cultural characteristic.

A Bias Incident is defined as conduct, speech, or expression that is motivated by bias or prejudice. A bias incident does not involve any actual crime and often may not involve a clear violation of University Housing or UW-System policy. Examples of bias incidents include dry erase messages that are motivated by bias, bias-motivated jokes, or hate material distributed via pamphlets.

A Hate crime is defined as a crime that is motivated by bias or prejudice. A hate crime involves a clear municipal, state, or federal criminal act. In most cases, University Housing will respond to hate crimes by working with the UW Police Department, dependant on the wishes of the victim of the crime. Examples of hate crimes include damage or vandalism to personal or UW property that is motivated by bias or violence motivated by bias.

Harassment is defined by University Housing as verbal threats, intimidation, or conduct which: tend to cause or incite a breach of the peace; or are severe or pervasive enough to substantially interfere with a reasonable student's educational performance, opportunities or benefits, or mental, emotional or physical well-being and which actually do so interfere. Harassment fitting the above definition may or may not also be a crime. University Housing will work with the UW Police Department to determine if cases fit the legal definition of harassment depending on the wishes of the victim.

If you feel that you have been the victim of or witness to any of the above, we encourage you to discuss the matter with your House Fellow, Multicultural Resident Consultant, LGBT liaison, Residence Life Coordinator, Diversity Programs and Initiatives Professional Staff or any member of the University Housing staff team with whom you are most comfortable.