2009-2010 Grant Proposals

Anne Mattina
"Expanding the Circle"
Pedagogy Travel Grant

I am applying for funds to attend "Expanding the Circle" a conference sponsored by the American Academy of Religion and the American Association of Colleges and University. I have included below a description of the conference's purpose, which addresses the relationship between faith-based colleges and LGBTQ students and the need for creating an inclusive environment in both the classroom and the larger campus. For the past 8 years, I have taught a course on Gender and Communication that consistently fills at 30 students each semester. Students are extremely interested in this general topic, and the course would be greatly enhanced by the inclusion of a wider perspective.

In addition to being an upper-division elective in our department, the course also is included in the Gender Studies program, so access is not limited to Communication majors. I see attendance and participation in the conference as being beneficial on several levels - to my overall teaching; to the continued evolution of the Gender and Communication course; and, finally to the College in that several of the sessions directly address how Catholic institutions can be more effective in terms of creating an inclusive environment.

The full conference runs from Thursday to Sunday, but the sessions I most want to attend are on the weekend, thus, in the budget below, I have only included 2 nights lodging. Additionally, the Provost & Dean's office has committed $500.00 towards the total. Thank you for considering my proposal.

Purpose:
"Colleges and universities need to encourage faculty members to teach and research a wide range of LGBTQ topics as well as support student life professionals in building inclusive campus communities. In this conference, we will examine strategies and best practices that effectively integrate LGBTQ areas of teaching and research with student life activities. Faculty development plays a critical role in this integration: faculty members, whether part of the LGBTQ community themselves or not, need to examine their own attitudes and feelings about LGBTQ issues as they seek to incorporate these issues more fully into their courses and curricula".

Budget :
Registration - $450.00
Airfare - $350.00 Boston - San Francisco
Hotels - $179.00 per night + tax - 2 nights = $400.00
Food, transportation to hotel = 150.00
Total = $1350.00
Contributionfrom Provost/Dean = $500.00
Funds needed = $850.00