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Bridge of Respect Project

Several crimes particularly galvanized people: The November 1998 beating death in Chico of Lloyd Brown, a homeless person, by two Butte College students; the October 1998 torture and murder of gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard; and the July 1999 murders of Winfield Mowder and Gary Matson, a gay couple living in Redding, by James and Benjamin Williams. The fact that the convicted Williams brothers (who have ties to white supremacy) and Mowder and Matson were all former Chico State students made it even more important to the group that action be taken.

One of the objectives expressed by the group was to increase the number of events on campus that address issues of tolerance and respect. The Academic Affairs 1999-2000 Action Plan had as one of its objectives to "Create and maintain learning environments outside the classroom that respect individual differences."

On Feb. 4, 2000, the group recommended that a series of events and programs for the academic year 2000-2001 be united around the theme "Building Bridges." Cabinet approved the Building Bridges idea Feb. 10, and e-mail messages from President Manuel Esteban went to students, faculty and staff Feb. 29.

The Reverend Cecil Williams, pastor of Glide Memorial United Methodist Church in San Francisco and nationally known advocate for the poor, kicked off Building Bridges with an address Aug. 30, 2000 before a packed house in Harlen Adams Theatre. The event also featured the presentation of a bust of Adams, the well-known CSU, Chico administrator, professor and community leader, who helped found PFLAG, Parents and Families of Lesbians and Gays.

Building Bridges has highlighted existing events and encouraged new events at Chico. Building Bridges activities have included an address by Morris Dees, co-founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center, Friends of History lecture series, a world drumming exhibition at the Museum of Anthropology and the Nazi Olympics exhibition, which attracted 15,000 visitors to Colusa Hall.

In spring 2001, the Building Bridges group and the university Cabinet felt Building Bridges should extend beyond the 2000-2001 academic year. Consequently, Building Bridges has continued with new events, programs and efforts designed to unite community members. Building Bridges' importance was underscored in fall 2001, when the university Academic Senate urged the group, in the wake of September 11, to help create a campus climate of greater understanding and respect among all people.

For more information about Building Bridges, please call 898-4143.

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