Every one of our students deserves to feel safe and like they belong when studying with us, no matter their gender identity or sexuality. We believe that this sense of safety is essential to your academic success and overall well-being. And it’s not just a matter of physical security. You have the right to feel safe, be yourself and express your identity at an inclusive university.
So, here’s the lowdown on how you can feel safe and connected while studying at Charles Sturt.
Look for a rainbow lanyard
The rainbow lanyard is a visible sign of a staff member who has taken part in Ally training. It indicates that they’re a person you can talk to if you need help. Their support is not just for LGBTIQA+ students, but they’re trained to provide extra assistance to students who do. They’ll also know who to refer you to if you need help outside of their expertise.
You can approach someone wearing one of these lanyards for support or advice any time. You can also see their Ally visibility in their email signature and on a poster on their door if they have one, as well as sometimes wearing other accessories like pins and badges.
If you ever feel unsafe on campus because of the way someone is interacting with your gender identity or sexuality, you can access lots of help, including student advocacy, counselling services and more. Charles Sturt is dedicated to providing a safe, supportive and inclusive learning environment, making sure you’re safe on campus regardless of your identity.
Join an inclusive university club or group
Joining a club is like having built-in belonging. You’ll have a group of people who all share a passion about the same thing you do, and they meet up regularly to hang out, share stories and become friends.
There are even online clubs for students who are studying off campus. Check out more about our student clubs!
And if you can’t find a club that suits your particular niche – make one! Starting a club that revolves around a social dimension like LGBTIQA+ inclusion or identity can help bring together people who share your experience. Together, members of your club can create events and attend activities that are meaningful to you.
Get social at a student event
Meeting your fellow students in social activities away from the classroom is a great way to find your tribe. We even wrote about it here in our ultimate guide to making friends at uni! It’s awesome to have friends around you to share your hobbies, passions and wins – as well as all the ups and downs (mostly ups!) that come with being a student.
Social events are another way to meet new friends. Remember, everyone there is the same as you: hoping to meet some cool people and hang out. If you reach out to make a connection, you’ll get a response in return.
You can find more student oriented workshops and events on our student portal. And did you know you can even plan and run your own student event?
Register for campus alerts
One of the best ways to keep aware of what’s going on around your campus is to sign up for campus alerts. You’ll receive a notification on your phone if there are any high-level emergencies or critical events happening.
Contact campus security
You can always get in touch with our 24/7 on-campus security. Our security teams patrol the campuses regularly and are on call to respond to reports, or even walk you to your car or dorm after a late-night study session.
We’re committed to making sure that your time at Charles Sturt is the best it can possibly be. Your safety, and the feeling of connection and belonging you experience while you’re here, is just as important as the skills you’ll gain and the information you’ll learn. If you have any questions about making sure Charles Sturt is the inclusive university for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
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