The Rensselaer LGBTQ Task Force – a volunteer group of students, staff, and faculty - commenced in spring 2012 at the request of [then] VP of Student Life, Dr. Timothy Sams. The original goal of the LGBTQ Task Force was to help create a more welcoming space for LGBTQ+ campus community members and their guests. While unfunded and formally uncharged, the original members established a routine meeting schedule, forged a list of ‘low-hanging fruit’ tasks to begin work on, began benchmarking peer institutions and best practices, and committed themselves to hosting one campus-wide awareness event every other year.

Through the time, effort, and dedication of its various members, the financial and manual support of departments and colleagues across the Institute, and mentoring received by exclusive members of the Rensselaer community and alumni, The Rensselaer LGBTQ Task Force forged examination, initiatives, an annual Lavender Graduation, and on- and off-campus partnerships between spring 2012 and fall 2019.

As the original leadership of staff and faculty who spearheaded the Task Force between spring 2012 and fall 2019 step down to create space for new leadership and membership, they leave behind this collection of work as a symbol of their unwavering support of those who will create new milestones moving forward for the LGBTQ+ campus community, their guests, visitors, and alumni alike.