Resolution 24-03 Honoring Terri Phoenix
RESOLUTION OF THE EMPLOYEE FORUM
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
June 5, 2024
WHEREAS, it is appropriate and fitting for the Employee Forum to recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves in service to the University on North Carolina at Chapel Hill community, so as to encourage similar achievement among the remainder of the community’s members; and
WHEREAS, when the accomplishments of an individual are combined with the courageous advocacy for an underserved but significant population at the University to the effect of providing supports and assuring access across campus, true servant leadership deserves a fitting recognition; and
WHEREAS, Terri Phoenix, former Director of the LGBTQ Center at UNC Chapel Hill from 2007 through 2023, served the University in an exemplary fashion; and
WHEREAS, Terri (T) worked with UNC Chapel Hill Administration and Human Resources to successfully add gender identity and gender expression to the University’s non-discrimination policy; and
WHEREAS, T successfully petitioned the University Registrar to secure students the right to put their affirmed name on their diploma through a clear and standardized graduation application process; and
WHEREAS, T facilitated the addition of the option in Connect Carolina for students and employees to indicate their affirmed gender pronouns and name; and
WHEREAS, T worked with Facilities and other campus stakeholders to identify all single stall restrooms on campus, transition as many as possible to gender non-specific restrooms, and created a university-maintained list of gender-neutral restrooms; and
WHEREAS, after years of discussion, T secured approval of gender non-specific housing in 2012 before the NC General Assembly implemented a new University of North Carolina system-wide policy that required discontinuation of this affirming housing option; and
WHEREAS, in order to create a welcoming environment and clarity for supervisors, team members, and employees, T developed a guide supporting employees who planned to or were in the process of gender transition during employment; and
WHEREAS, T worked ceaselessly to integrate the LGBTQ Center into many campus-wide initiatives and programs, which raised its profile, made its services visible and available to a wider audience, and created bridges with the many identity centers within UNC, including NC Hillel, to support cross-identity LGBTQIA+ programming; and,
WHEREAS, T worked with the LGBTQ Center staff and others on campus to provide training to more than 20,000 people in fifteen years; and,
WHEREAS, T helped develop a Center that served as a dynamic and growing resource for all of the campus community, including programming, a resource library, drop-in support hours, Safe Zone training, tailored departmental training, and more; and,
WHEREAS, T created programming to bring the LGBTQIA+ communities together and to celebrate important moments and accomplishments, including the Welcome Back Celebration, NC Pride Week, Transgender Day of Remembrance, Lavender Graduation, and much more; and
WHEREAS, T helped establish an emergency fund for LGBTQIA+ students experiencing financial hardship; and
WHEREAS, T’s work has helped to raise the visibility of LGBTQIA+ staff, faculty, and students, and created a more welcoming campus climate for the LGBTQIA+ community at the university
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Employee Forum hereby confers Lifelong Honorary Delegate status upon Terri Phoenix, along with an open invitation to attend and participate in future deliberations of this body.
Signed on behalf of the Delegates of the Employee Forum,
Katie Musgrove, Chair