Issue date: 10/1/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Andrew Russell Cathy Busha has been director of programming at Wingspan for nine years. Starting Nov. 13, she will be director of LGBTQ affairs at the UA.

One of the last schools in the Pacific 10 Conference to create an office devoted to gay and lesbian affairs, the UA announced development plans for the office last week and appointed a new director to the first paid position of its kind in Arizona.

Cathy Busha, the current programming director of Wingspan, was named the new director of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning affairs and will begin duties Nov. 13.

"I think it really shows that the university is interested in being a leader in the state," Busha said. "It's perfect timing for the U of A."

There are currently 127 LGBTQ centers or directors working in universities across the country, Although the UA will be one of the last in the Pac-10 schools, it is the first in Arizona to get an official paid position, Busha said.

Busha will receive $50,000 a year, according to Thursday's Arizona Daily Star.

"The actual hiring of this position is a huge step in the right direction," said Rosie Reid-Correa, co-director of ASUA Pride Alliance and a geological engineering junior. "Representation of marginalized groups is clearly happening on campus, so it's a huge deal."

The LGBTQ Affairs office is a result of a recommendation from the LGBT advisory council to President Shelton.

"(Shelton) has a strong commitment to creating a diverse campus," Busha said. "It's through his work that this position was created."

"The ultimate goal is to create a safe campus for everyone - one that's welcoming and actually really celebrates having a LGBTQ visible presence," she said.

One of Busha's goals is to make the classroom environment more comfortable for LGBTQ students.

"Part of it will be working on how to work with faculty on how to create safe class environments so that people can come out if they choose to," Busha said. She also would like to see classrooms include same-sex couples as examples in discussions related to relationships.

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