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Safe Space Initiative

The Office of IDEAL’s Gender and Sexuality Inclusion Center is committed to providing LGBTQIA+ education and engagement opportunities for students, staff, and faculty. Through workshops, programs, and campus partnerships, the Center fosters learning environments that promote inclusion, awareness, and support.

The Safe Space Initiative allows divisions, schools, colleges, and offices at Temple University to publicly demonstrate their commitment to gender and sexuality inclusion. Participating units can display an office placard, signaling a visible commitment to creating welcoming and affirming spaces for all members of the campus community.

To qualify for Safe Space Certification, at least 85% of eligible staff within a unit must be Safe Zone trained and certified through the Office of IDEAL’s Gender and Sexuality Inclusion Center. Eligible staff include full-time and part-time employees, while student workers, office assistants, and interns are excluded from this calculation.

Overall Process
  • Step 1 | Attend Safe Zone training
  • Step 2 | Ensure 85% of staff are certified
  • Step 3 | Determine a point person to submit application
  • Step 4 | Submit the office/unit application
  • Step 5 | Receive designation and promotional materials
Why Participate
  • Demonstrating visible support for LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and faculty
  • Building more welcoming and affirming spaces
  • Receiving recognition through the initiative

Still Need to Become Safe Zone Certified?

If you need additional team members to become Safe Zone certified, please use the link below to register for one of the upcoming training dates. Safe Zone trainings are typically offered at least once each month during the academic year.

Find out which units and offices across campus have been designated as Safe Spaces. Explore the directory to identify spaces that collaborates with our office for this certification. 

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Safe Space Initiative Application

Apply now to be officially recognized as a Safe Space on campus.

SPI Application Form

Frequently Asked Questions

We encourage staff and faculty with questions about the Safe Zone Initiative to review the information below. If you have additional questions that are not addressed, please contact ideal@temple.edu.

Q | What will units receive to be identified as a Safe Space?

Approved units will receive designation materials for their reception space.

Q | When can units begin applying for this designation?

Similar to other high-level institutional recognitions, the application window will remain open throughout the academic year. However, units will only be awarded designations once annually, during the summer months.

Q | How long does certification last?

Units will be required to update their submission annually to account for staffing changes and maintain compliance with the certification percentage requirement.

Q | What if a new staff member joins after our office is certified?

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Q | Does every employee need to attend training?

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Q | Can student workers count toward the 85% requirement?

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Q | How often should offices renew their certification?

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Q | Is there a cost associated with the SPI placard?

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Q | What is the difference between Safe Space and Safe Zone?

It’s important to note the distinction between these two designations:

  • Safe Zone Certification recognizes individuals who complete the 2.5-hour foundational training.

  • Safe Space Certification recognizes entire units that have met the 85% training requirement and demonstrated sustained commitment to inclusive practices.