Recent MSU graduate worked to create more support for LGBTQ students
From MSU News Service
Jamie Baird enrolled at Montana State University four years ago, drawn to the university’s strong academic reputation, its surrounding mountains and the offer of a merit-based scholarship. But after arriving on campus, Baird – who grew up in Highlands Ranch, Colorado – felt that the university needed to offer its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students more support.
“When I came to MSU four years ago, it was a really different place,” Baird said. “I felt that specifically as an LGBT student.”
Since then, Baird said, things have improved. And those those familiar with Baird’s work say those changes have come, in part, due to Baird’s efforts to promote diversity at all levels of MSU.
In 2015, Baird began working with other students in the Queer-Straight Alliance, a student club at MSU, as well as the student senate to ask the university to make some changes to better support LGBTQ students. Those requests included things like designating gender neutral bathrooms, allowing students to use the names they prefer and developing an inclusive housing option for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual students.
And MSU leaders listened. The university installed gender neutral restroom signs across campus and created single-occupancy shower and changing rooms in the fitness center. Campus groups met to develop plans for gender inclusive housing options. A pilot program lets students’ chosen name be recognized throughout the institution. A graduate assistant for LGBTQ student support was hired who led an effort to create best practices to distribute to MSU faculty and staff.
Working with the institution for change taught Baird that “by coming together as a community, you could really make tangible differences for students.”
MSU photo by Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez
Throughout their time on campus, Baird has continued to work on issues of inclusion and support. Baird is student director of diversity and inclusion through the Office of Student Engagement. They have also served as an Associated Students of MSU senator, president of the Queer-Straight Alliance and a mentor for the Diversity and Inclusion Student Commons’ LGBTQ mentor program.
Baird is especially proud of expanding the student-run Diversity Symposium. Baird organized the second annual symposium, held in March, which welcomed individuals from communities across the state, including Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Helena and Missoula.
“What I wanted to do was create a community where people can feel acknowledged and celebrated,” Baird said of the symposium. “Everyone was talking about what diverse identity looks like in the Montana University System and at MSU. It was amazing.”
Baird is also proud of strong student involvement with the Queer-Straight Alliance during their term as president, including large attendance at the organization’s drag shows, which serve as fundraisers. The organization also held a queer film festival and organized a clothing drive for transgender students.
“(These efforts) weren’t just me, but as a team we created a lot of community for students who otherwise wouldn’t have had a place to feel welcomed,” Baird said.
The desire to help others was a large part of what motivated Baird.
“I thought of the people I was working with and people I was serving and trying to help, and that’s why I wanted to do the things I did – to help,” Baird said. “I thought together we could create a place for each other, and maybe it wouldn’t be so hard.”
Those who are familiar with Baird’s efforts credit them with helping to create meaningful change on campus.
“Jamie represents the absolute best of the spirit of MSU,” said Sara Rushing, associate professor of political science who serves as adviser for the Queer-Straight Alliance. “They are active in student government, an advocate for diversity and inclusion on campus, an athlete and a genuinely curious and dedicated student.
“Getting to know Jamie in their role as QSA co-president last year was a joy, and their enthusiasm and care showed every week as a robust group of students met to support each other, do art together, take on community service projects and huge events like the drag shows, and work to partner with other groups like the Black Student Union to lobby for social change on campus,” Rushing added. “I also really appreciated having Jamie in my political theory class this spring. As a stats major in their last semester of college, this was a choice driven purely by the desire to learn new things, which I find inspirational.”
Ariel Donohue, senior diversity and inclusion officer, noted that Baird is a collaborative and caring leader.
“Jamie’s approach to diversity and inclusion work is genuine and humble, yet bold,” Donohue said. “Jamie turned their personal struggle to find a place of belonging at MSU into concrete work to make our campus more inclusive for all students.”
Baird has received a number of awards for their efforts, including being named a Lavender Leader and receiving both the Spirit Activism Award and the President’s Commission on the Status of University Women student award. Those awards are given to individuals who have contributed to making MSU more inclusive for LGBTQ members of the MSU community; to a student who embodies leadership, citizenship and community involvement; and to a student who has worked to improve issues related to gender, equity and diversity on any of MSU’s four campuses, respectively.
Baird will graduate Saturday with a degree in statistics, a subject they have loved since high school for its “amazing way to quantitatively explore and explain the world.” Baird noted they are excited to have their family and partner in town for commencement.
After graduation, Baird plans to take some time off but would eventually like to go to law school.
Baird’s advice to students entering MSU is to get involved.
“There are over 200 registered student organizations. Think about joining one of them and finding a group of people who are passionate about the same things you are,” Baird said. “It’s a great way to make friends and get engaged with the campus community and the greater Bozeman community. It’s a great way to make lasting connections and do really cool work.” •
