Bauder going strong after 10 years

Doug Bauder has been hard at work.\nAs coordinator of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Support Services for the past 10 years, Bauder is always prepared to deal with national and local issues affecting students.\nA student in tears sought help from Bauder last week after the announcement of President George W. Bush's proposed constitutional amendment, which would define marriage as an institution between a man and a woman.\n"'I've been betrayed by my country,'" Bauder said the student told him.\nBauder and the GLBT office often responds to student concerns or problems.\n"My goal for the GLBT students is that they be the best people they can be … fulfilled in their goals and dreams," Bauder said.\nBauder spends most of his time doing administrative work, such as planning meetings or conferences and increasing awareness of GLBT students as a part of diversity.\nBauder has been with the GLBT office since its creation 10 years ago in response to the growing number of recorded harassment incidents. As one of the first campuses in the nation to offer an office for this purpose, IU has expanded its staff to include students in addition to professional staff members.\nSince the office's creation, Bauder and his co-workers have served as consultants for between 50 to 75 universities interested in creating a similar office.\n"I feel like we've been pioneers, in some respect," said Bauder. "That's been exciting."\nIn addition to increasing awareness of GLBT issues, Bauder works closely with students on many of their own projects.\nFreshman Jerome Philipps, who works at the GLBT student support center, said Bauder has had a profound impact on his life. \n"From working here, I've become a self-proclaimed advocate (of equal rights), and Doug has a lot to do with that," Philipps said.\nUnder Bauder's guidance, Philipps is creating an advisor program for prospective GLBT students through the admissions office. \n"Doug is kind of my office mentor, keeping me on track and on the task at hand," Philipps said.\nBauder also said he feels he affects students in more indirect ways, as well.\n"Just being out as a gay man … by virtue of being myself, I inspire students," Bauder said. "I'm really humbled by that sometimes."\nCarol Fischer, who has worked with Bauder for nine years, said she sees the impact he makes on the campus, bringing awareness to issues.\n"He cares about people," she said. "He's concerned about any form of discrimination, not just GLBT (discrimination)." \nBauder said the office is recognized on a crimson sign by the University, helping GLBT students feel they have a place where they can go to talk. Bauder also feels it is important for students who are not GLBT to know they can go to the office to talk, as well.\nA few years ago, Bauder helped a student whose mother had recently come out.\nBauder said because the student felt comfortable going to the GLBT office to discuss this, it was a success for him and the office.\n"He got the message somewhere down the line that the GLBT (office) is not just for GLBT students," Bauder said.\nFor more information on IU GLBT programs, visit www.indiana.edu/~glbt.\n-- Contact staff writer Nicole Hindes at nhindes@indiana.edu.