The West Virginia University Council on Sexual Orientation (COSO) is now taking applications for a newly established advocacy award to recognize persons who have provided outstanding service to WVUs gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community.

“This is an important, and long overdue award, to acknowledge people who have gone out of their way to help this often overlooked community,”said Bernie Schultz, COSO co-chair.”I encourage the University and local community to consider hard those who have made special efforts and nominate them for this award to recognize not only service, but the courage and personal sacrifices this challenging work requires.”

All students, faculty, staff and community members who have been, or who are currently, involved in improving the social climate for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people at WVU are eligible to apply or be nominated for the award. The award will be presented later this spring.

Criteria for the award include:

• Service to, and advancement of, gay, lesbian, bisexual and or transgendered people at WVU

• Significant advocacy, teaching, program development and or scholarship which directly benefits this community

• Working to build coalitions between organizations committed to social justice for GLBT people

• Mentoring students, staff or faculty who are GLBT at WVU .

March 16 is the application deadline to apply for the award. It will be announced later this spring.

To receive a nomination form, call Dr. Schultz at 293-4841, ext. 3109.