After months of anticipation, students lobbying for a full-time coordinator of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender education, outreach and services have their answer from the board of trustees.

The position, currently filled by Lisa Maurer, has been elevated to full-time for the 2003–2004 school year. The board’s decision, which was made in February, pleased student activists who campaigned for the change since the position’s creation in October 2001.

“It’s a step in the right direction,” said senior Ryan Prosser, co-author of the proposal to make the job full-time. “Oftentimes, Lisa isn’t as accessible as she’d like to be. I think she’ll be able to see to fruition a lot of programming.”

Prosser, senior Daniel Baker and junior Braeden Sullivan wrote and submitted the proposal last semester and soon garnered support from the Student Government and Residence Hall associations.

“When this was conceived, the whole idea of the center was to be full-time. Part-time was a compromise, and we’ve wanted it to be full-time since then,” Sullivan said.

The decision to make the position full-time was first evaluated in the Office of Multicultural Affairs, which oversees the LGBT Center. Brian McAree, vice president for student affairs and campus life, said his office worked with the OMA staff to reallocate resources.

“The decision was based on our evaluation of the needs of the campus community for the services that are provided through Lisa’s position and the importance of those services to the Ithaca College community,” McAree said. “There has been a clear call for the services that are provided through the LGBT Center.”

Maurer was pleased to see her position increased to full-time and said it affirms the college’s commitment to a diverse community.

“I’m here to help create a community where everyone is valued,” Maurer said. “My office helps build a campus where all people can learn, work and live in an affirmative environment.”

The position was first made part-time to fit the available budget, but students said Maurer could not meet all community needs.

“There were so many phone calls that she didn’t have time to follow up on, e-mails that she couldn’t follow up on and programs that people wanted her to do on days she wasn’t here,” Sullivan said.

McAree said he hopes a full-time coordinator will enhance the college’s commitment to diversity.

“Our hope is that with Lisa working full-time through the academic year, she will able to better meet the needs of the campus community,” he said.