We Stand With Chris

Very odd of them to get rid of a position that has helped foster connections for students. For being one of the most LGBTQIA+ friendly, this is very backwards of them.

As a queer alumni of UWEC, these changes are extremely disturbing. I attended UWEC because of the school's amazing support systems for queer students provided by the GSRC. I know that the school's inclusivity was a big draw for many other students and alumni as well. This institution built itself on an image of inclusivity, diversity, and being a welcoming space for queer students. Yet, when it's no longer convenient, the administration would rather sacrifice the very community they used to line their pockets. Rest assured, if these decisions stand, I will never give another cent to this school, nor will I ever recommend anyone to attend any UW schools. I wouldn't be surprised if they start to see a drop in application rates and an increase in drop-outs and transfers as the inclusivity is a large draw for many students. I am deeply saddened and disgusted to see Eau Claire's robust queer community thrown under the bus like this. Queer students deserve to have spaces that make them feel welcomed and supported, since so often (and especially right now) they don't have that support anywhere else. The GSRC and Chris' work have long provided that space for myself and many others, and I am eternally grateful for it. It would be a shame to see such amazing support ripped away from students. Once that damage is done, it cannot be undone, and UWEC will never be able to regain that image. We will always remember where they choose to stand. Make the right choice, Eau Claire.

BRING HIM BACK

You can’t keep people who out of the system who make the system betterr

We moved our family from Seattle so our non-binary kid could attend UWEC and one of our critical criteria was the thriving, vibrant LGBTQ community on campus. Chris' firing feels like the university is, in part, cowering to a hostile, indecent, inhumane political environment (whose time in the spotlight is already souring and fading!). It's inexplicable and shameful. The thriving and courageous LGBTQ community on campus - and their families, like us - deserves better, deserves an explanation for this mischief that makes sense.

Chris has always been an amazing source of support for our community. He’s created safe spaces for so many LGBTQ community members both on and off campus.

Embarrassing behavior from UWEC

I stand for diversity

PROTECT THIS MAN!

unjust & unfair

Serving all students is the mission of education.

As an alumni of UWEC, I find the recent actions of the university to be incredibly disappointing. For a university that boasts being one of the most diversity accepting campuses in the country, they really fail to show it in this instance. Instead of acting as places of higher education should in the face of bigotry and intolerance, UWEC instead is choosing to forgo any support and protections it offered its LGBT+ staff and students. It chooses to enable bias and discrimination. It chooses ignorance and sectarianism instead of its own inhabitants. It is to UWEC's great shame that it has acted in this way thus far.

unbelievably disappointed by my alma mater

Chris was instrumental in making UW-Eau Claire a safe, welcoming place for all students during my time there. As an alumnus, I am deeply disappointed to hear this news and hope that the university will reconsider its decision to cave to the Trump administration's pressure.

Stop following illegal directives from the tRump administration! DEI brings the best and brightest to Wisconsin universities!

I’m just shocked and appalled.

justice for chris!!!

Take a stand against Fascism!!!

Chris is a pillar of the community, we are so lucky to have him.

As a university that prides itself on inclusion and allyship, we deserve better.