NVUnity Returns to Lyndon but not Without Adversity
By Rebecca Munkelwitz

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Diversity, equity, and inclusion should be the groundwork for which everyone stands, but so often it is forgotten by the loud members of society who can’t be quiet long enough to simply listen. At Northern Vermont University (NVU), these are not just words, but guiding principles. While the intent is there, it’s not always easy to live up to.

 

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Student Government Association (SGA) funded clubs were disbanded due to lack of participation or funding. On the NVU-Lyndon campus, one of these groups was NVUnity. NVUnity is the student-run LGBTQIA+ pride club that existed on both the Lyndon and Johnson campuses. However, due to lack of budget and attendees the Lyndon branch was shut down.

 

With the campuses alive and thriving again, a very obvious lack of LGBTQIA+ representation was revealed on the Lyndon campus. In came Katie Campbell. The new Assistant Director of Student Life arrived on campus decked in rainbow and the initiative to help the students reignite the abandoned club. The proud group of students with clear guidance, support, and leadership set to work. 

 

A handful of students quickly grew to seventeen and they decided it was time for Lyndon to have its first Pride Week. The fearless group of students worked hard to plan a weeklong slew of events that included a drag show, fashion show, glow roller skating, Q&A panel with trans students, and more.

 

With Pride Week planned, the only thing left to do was to get officially reinstated as a club. In a surprising outcome, the vote to reinstate NVUnity was so close, they had to enter a recount. By the skin of their teeth, SGA voted in their favor and NVUnity was an official club once again. The victory was met with excitement and joy from supporters, but the unexpected resistance did leave a bitter taste in their mouths. This wasn’t their first obstacle, and it certainly wouldn’t be their last.

 

Community support for NVUnity and Pride Week was heartwarming: Planned Parenthood and Umbrella, a local advocacy group, attended most events. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force of Northern Vermont University offered their support and assistance. The NVU Marketing and Communications team collaborated with NVUnity student marketing lead, Alexia Morrigan, on event promotion and social media takeovers. Most heartwarming of all, was the anonymous $500 donation from an NVUnity Johnson member.

 

The week culminated in an exciting and long overdue raising of the Pride Progress flag over the Lyndon campus. The Progress flag is an updated version of the rainbow Pride flag with a new design to better include and represent more communities. Only a handful of people attended the flag raising but the event was shared across social media to the joy of most of the extended community. With only a few Facebook angry faces, it seemed like a success. Until a few days later.

 

Monday morning came and the flag was found missing by a staff member on their drive into campus. Upon closer inspection, they found the flag pole lying on the ground with the flag nowhere to be seen. After being reported, NVU acted quickly by notifying the authorities. 

 

This act of hatred was vehemently condemned by NVU leadership. In a letter from NVU Interim President John W. Mills, he stated: “NVU is a place of inclusivity. We stand as a place of justice. A place where all people are valued. We stand as a place where all are welcome. An act like this is an act against justice, and justice will prevail.” Over a single weekend the simple reinstatement of a club became a community wide social issue.  

 

The following week a new flag was raised, this time in a location that could be monitored closely by public safety. The community rallied to this event in a show of support with more than fifty in attendance compared to the small turnout for the first flag raising. 

 

Attendees from other institutions joined with the Lyndon and Johnson campuses to show their support. President Mills promised that this new location was only a temporary home for the flag. At a later date and time, there would be another event with a brand new flag pole prominently displayed within the campus, visible to all.

 

The irony of the situation is that if the flag hadn’t been vandalized, there wouldn’t have been anywhere near the attention towards the LGBTQIA+ community on the Lyndon campus. It goes to show that hatred doesn’t win when people choose to stand for what’s right.

 

NVUnity’s strength and willingness to fight for recognition is inspirational. Their student marketing lead, Alexia Morrigan, told the world in an NBC5 article, “we’re not going away, we’re here to stay.” And stay they will. The growing group of students is already planning their next Pride Week, and they anticipate it being bigger and better than ever.