USC Ally Network

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USC Ally Network

Ally network logo

Welcome to the University of the Sunshine Coast Ally Network

The University of the Sunshine Coast is committed to promoting an education environment where there is equality of opportunity and freedom from discrimination and harassment. USC acknowledges and supports sexuality and gender diversity on campus and within the community.

What is an ally?

An ally is any individual who is informed about, is empathetic towards and has an understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) issues.

An ally acknowledges the experiences, upholds and supports the rights of LGBTIQ individuals by raising awareness of diversity in personal identity, gender, and relationship choices. USC allies act as a point of contact for staff and students on LGBTIQ issues and can discuss these areas confidently.

Aims of a USC ally:
  • Advocate for and support cultural change
  • Build and support an advocacy network
  • Help create a safe, supportive and inclusive educational and work environment
  • Through education, develop further awareness and visibility of LGBTIQ staff and students and their issues
  • Develop an online visible network of USC allies
An ally is:
  • an open, supportive, non-judgemental and comfortable listener
  • aware of maintaining confidentiality
  • knowledgeable of the additional supports at USC and the wider community
  • not necessarily a counsellor, nor necessarily trained to attend to crisis situations, however they are aware of the referral process
  • not necessarily able to act upon grievance processes associated with bullying, discrimination or harassment. USC Discrimination and Harassment Officers can assist with this

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USC ally responsibilities:
  • Participate in an interactive training program
  • Publicly identify as an ally by allowing your name and faculty/department or student contact details to be published on the USC ally webpage
  • Display an ally sign on your office door to affirm your commitment
  • Provide a safe place for individuals to access you
  • Be open to questions relative to LGBTIQ issues
  • Working within and support existing equity policies
Want to become a USC ally?

For more information about the program as well as training events, contact Marjorie Blowers, Student Equity and Diversity Officer at Student Services.

How to contact a USC ally

Look for an official ally sign or Rainbow Flag on an office door or Reception counter.

USC ally contacts
Name Position Department/Faculty/
Organisation		 Email
Marjorie Blowers Student Equity and Diversity Officer Student Services mblowers@usc.edu.au
Eva Marie Seeto Director Student Services eseeto@usc.edu.au
Monica Ford Counsellor Student Services     mford@usc.edu.au
Greg Thorne Counsellor Student Services

gthorne@usc.edu.au

Alexandra Sharp Counsellor Student Services

asharp@usc.edu.au

Peter Cahill Academic Skills Adviser Student Services

pcahill@usc.edu.au

Margot Reeh Academic Skills Adviser Student Services

mreeh@usc.edu.au

Jodi Vallance Student Services Officer USC International

jvallan2@usc.edu.au

Karryn Bratby Lecturer, Social Work Faculty of Social Sciences

kbratby@usc.edu.au

Amanda Vos Lecturer, Social Work Faculty of Social Sciences

avos@usc.edu.au

Mike Lyons Lecturer, Occupational Therapy Faculty of Science, Health and Education

mlyons1@usc.edu.au

Brian Sengstock Lecturer, Health Law and Communication Faculty of Science, Health and Education bsengsto@usc.edu.au
Florin Oprescu Lecturer, Health Promotion Faculty of Science, Health and Education foprescu@usc.edu.au
Tilly Hinton Senior Academic Adviser Office of Learning and Teaching THinton@usc.edu.au
Marion Gray Professor, Occupational Therapy School of Health and Sport Sciences

marion.gray@usc.edu.au

 

Kerry Schutz Coordinator, Scholarships and Access Student Adminstration

kschutz@usc.edu.au

 

Stephen Morgan Student Liaison Committee Representative Honours Psychology Student smorgan@usc.edu.au
USC Student Guild

info@uscstudentguild.org.au

 

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  • ABN 28 441 859 157 |
  • CRICOS Provider No 01595D |
  • Updated: 18 May 2012