Do not yield to conservative politics or fears of retribution. Chris has provided valuable service to UWEC. Restore him to his position.
J
Janet Bebo
10 months ago
They helped create a great spot on campus and this is horrifying
L
Lora
10 months ago
We cannot let all the work that has been done on empathy stop. Now more than ever, these positions are needed. Although "some" want to go back to the 1960's, we need to continue to advocate for growth, compassion, and understanding of differences! We cannot allow "some" to take away from many! Be a leader UWEC!
A
Alyssa Shelton
10 months ago
Kallie and Chris made Eau Claire a safe space for thousands, not just on campus but as a community. I grew up in Eau Claire and left due to the lack of representation and resources to ensure I felt I could live as my true authentic self. They have championed the community and made it a place I’m proud to call home and recommend. I bring my family and friends to The Fireball every year because it is a place of love, acceptance, and fun. Getting rid of their roles and department is an absolute travesty!! Do better UWEC! You’re taking away life saving roles that better everyone into wanting to tuck your tale and look the other way like most of the nation. Do not be lead with fear and hate but rather advocacy and love!
S
Sarah Ashley
10 months ago
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, who has visited UW-Eau Claire for the past few years for the Fireball event, and had the opportunity to meet Chris and his team and enjoy the shows that are put on I'm disappointed in the decision to eliminate his position and others! Chris brings so much to the UW-Eau Claire community. It's a disappointment to see this restructuring going on as at one point of time I thought UW-Eau Claire was a welcoming open minded institution.
J
Judy Swenson Fahrendorff
10 months ago
I'm a UWEC alum and am horrified by this decision.
C
Charlie Roettger
10 months ago
This is shameful that UWEC would even consider eliminating this position. This campus' capitulation to the federal government makes me ashamed to be an alumni.
S
Suzan Fredericks
10 months ago
Chris has done a lot for the UWEC community and other universities and people as well. To let him go is very disheartening.
B
Beverly Dorn
10 months ago
Reinstate Chris. As a UWEC alumni, I find this disgusting.
A
Anonymous
10 months ago
Reinstate Chris!
S
Sara Larsen
10 months ago
As an alumni and Eau Claire community member, this is very disheartening and disappointing to find out about. Having diverse, caring leadership is something that is more critical than ever. Give him his job back and put in future protections for positions like this.
C
Cameron Chapek
10 months ago
I stand with Chris.
D
Darlene MacBride
10 months ago
UWEC... you can do better. Please support ALL students!
J
Julie Norwood
10 months ago
Stop thinking your homophobic thoughts and fears and start helping your students!! Isn't that your job?? Give Chris his position back, the students need him!!!!!
D
Dustin Hybarger
10 months ago
Love you Chris! Thank you so much for shaping my youth in the best way possible.
J
Jeannie Knutson
10 months ago
EVERY child deserves a safe environment to discover who they are while their minds are being molded into adulthood. Without these programs of equality our world will continue to hate what is unknown and different. Please for the sake of our children keep these going so that we can learn that being who you are is perfectly OK; and that encountering someone else who isn’t exactly the same as you is OK also. You never know when your new best friend will enter your life.
K
Katie Froemel
10 months ago
It breaks my heart to hear that these amazing people have been let go and everything they have fought for has been cancelled. The Fire Ball was absolutely incredible to attend, seeing a community come together and openly supporting the LGBTQ+ students and community members was so heart warming! I come from a small Midwest town that has always turned their heads on anyone “different “ from the “normal” and watching members of my community suffer just for being themselves breaks my heart. I have always ensured my home is a safe place for anyone in need, I made sure to raise my children knowing that EVERYONE is deserving of respect and love. UWEC should be ashamed for taking these two out of the schools roster. I know I’m just one person but every single one of us needs to stand up with our heads high and support a part of our community that will once again be hated for being themselves.
N
Nicholas Walkowiak
10 months ago
These people created an environment that saved me throughout my college education. Please reconsider!
B
Bri Smith
10 months ago
I am a 2011 UWEC alumnus. I experienced firsthand the fears and rejection that came with queerness. The role of ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion is PARAMOUNT to the success of the university, its students, and those who support it. My allegiance to the university, and any commitments to donating money to their fundraising, hangs in the balance of this decision. Re-instate Chris and prove to us that you are true bluegolds.
A
Abigail Anderson
10 months ago
It is craven and weak to capitulate to an authoritarian's ideology in advance. History remembers those who resist, not those who surrender the marginalized to the machine of hate in an effort to save themselves. Whatever the reason for these actions, it is hard not to view them under the shadow of encroaching fascism, an emboldened right-wing minority determined to snuff out the bright, bold, beauty of diversity. The University is better than this. Eau Claire deserves better than this. Your students deserve better. Be better.
Do not yield to conservative politics or fears of retribution. Chris has provided valuable service to UWEC. Restore him to his position.
They helped create a great spot on campus and this is horrifying
We cannot let all the work that has been done on empathy stop. Now more than ever, these positions are needed. Although "some" want to go back to the 1960's, we need to continue to advocate for growth, compassion, and understanding of differences! We cannot allow "some" to take away from many! Be a leader UWEC!
Kallie and Chris made Eau Claire a safe space for thousands, not just on campus but as a community. I grew up in Eau Claire and left due to the lack of representation and resources to ensure I felt I could live as my true authentic self. They have championed the community and made it a place I’m proud to call home and recommend. I bring my family and friends to The Fireball every year because it is a place of love, acceptance, and fun. Getting rid of their roles and department is an absolute travesty!! Do better UWEC! You’re taking away life saving roles that better everyone into wanting to tuck your tale and look the other way like most of the nation. Do not be lead with fear and hate but rather advocacy and love!
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, who has visited UW-Eau Claire for the past few years for the Fireball event, and had the opportunity to meet Chris and his team and enjoy the shows that are put on I'm disappointed in the decision to eliminate his position and others! Chris brings so much to the UW-Eau Claire community. It's a disappointment to see this restructuring going on as at one point of time I thought UW-Eau Claire was a welcoming open minded institution.
I'm a UWEC alum and am horrified by this decision.
This is shameful that UWEC would even consider eliminating this position. This campus' capitulation to the federal government makes me ashamed to be an alumni.
Chris has done a lot for the UWEC community and other universities and people as well. To let him go is very disheartening.
Reinstate Chris. As a UWEC alumni, I find this disgusting.
Reinstate Chris!
As an alumni and Eau Claire community member, this is very disheartening and disappointing to find out about. Having diverse, caring leadership is something that is more critical than ever. Give him his job back and put in future protections for positions like this.
I stand with Chris.
UWEC... you can do better. Please support ALL students!
Stop thinking your homophobic thoughts and fears and start helping your students!! Isn't that your job?? Give Chris his position back, the students need him!!!!!
Love you Chris! Thank you so much for shaping my youth in the best way possible.
EVERY child deserves a safe environment to discover who they are while their minds are being molded into adulthood. Without these programs of equality our world will continue to hate what is unknown and different. Please for the sake of our children keep these going so that we can learn that being who you are is perfectly OK; and that encountering someone else who isn’t exactly the same as you is OK also. You never know when your new best friend will enter your life.
It breaks my heart to hear that these amazing people have been let go and everything they have fought for has been cancelled. The Fire Ball was absolutely incredible to attend, seeing a community come together and openly supporting the LGBTQ+ students and community members was so heart warming! I come from a small Midwest town that has always turned their heads on anyone “different “ from the “normal” and watching members of my community suffer just for being themselves breaks my heart. I have always ensured my home is a safe place for anyone in need, I made sure to raise my children knowing that EVERYONE is deserving of respect and love. UWEC should be ashamed for taking these two out of the schools roster. I know I’m just one person but every single one of us needs to stand up with our heads high and support a part of our community that will once again be hated for being themselves.
These people created an environment that saved me throughout my college education. Please reconsider!
I am a 2011 UWEC alumnus. I experienced firsthand the fears and rejection that came with queerness. The role of ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion is PARAMOUNT to the success of the university, its students, and those who support it. My allegiance to the university, and any commitments to donating money to their fundraising, hangs in the balance of this decision. Re-instate Chris and prove to us that you are true bluegolds.
It is craven and weak to capitulate to an authoritarian's ideology in advance. History remembers those who resist, not those who surrender the marginalized to the machine of hate in an effort to save themselves. Whatever the reason for these actions, it is hard not to view them under the shadow of encroaching fascism, an emboldened right-wing minority determined to snuff out the bright, bold, beauty of diversity. The University is better than this. Eau Claire deserves better than this. Your students deserve better. Be better.