In today’s first Boca House of Representatives meeting of the spring semester, four bills were passed — and three were related to FAU’s LGBTQ community.

The bills were authored by Gabriella Miernik, who is a House representative and the president of the gender-inclusive diaternity Lambda Alpha Lambda, and Alex Bruens, who is the president of FAU’s Lambda United chapter. All three went through by a strong majority.

The first proposes a resolution that would require admissions counselors to receive LGBTQ-inclusive training by FAU’s Center for Inclusion, Diversity Education, and Advocacy (IDEAs). They would also be equipped to provide information on scholarships and on-campus resources specific to LGBTQ students.

The bill was approved by a vote of 35-2.

The second bill looks to create an “OWLS Ally Network,” which gives professors the option to include a symbol in syllabi or on office doors that symbolizes support of LGBTQ students. This will ensure confidentiality and a willingness to help those students find resources when needed.

If the resolution is approved by the school, faculty will need to complete the Center of IDEAs’ safe zone training on how to be an advocate before using the symbol. The bill was approved by a vote of 29-8.

The last bill gives students the opportunity to self-identify their gender identity on admissions applications, which would inform counselors on students’ specific orientations before they arrive on campus.

The bill was approved by a vote of 24-13.

Aside from the bills, however, Speaker Pro Tempore Jared Stern announced that he would be stepping down from his position. Parliamentarian Steven Robinson will replace him.

“This is not goodbye,” Stern said, adding that he was “very thankful” for those in SG.

Anna Trinh and Tina Daughtry were also elected into the House. This puts the House at 53 members, with only eight open spots left.

You can read the bills and agenda here, and watch the meeting here.

The House of Representatives will meet again on Jan. 18 in the House Chambers at 3:30 p.m.

Israel Fontoura is a contributing writer with the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email [email protected].

Sophie Siegel is the editor in chief of the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email [email protected] or tweet her @SophSiegel.