• printer friendly
• mail this article
• iPod format
• digg

By Payam Mahram

Daily Bruin Contributor

Almost three decades after it was founded, the Women’s Resource Center is undergoing a name change to raise awareness of the organization’s services to both men and women.

The center’s focus, which includes increasing awareness of gender-related issues and promoting gender equity, remains the same. Yet, additional funding will allow the center to expand its returning student services and hire additional staff for men’s outreach programs.

Directors have created a contest for the new name that is expected by fall. The contest is open to student health advocates and orientation counselors, and the winner will receive a $100 deposit on their BruinCard.

“What has really changed since the ‘70s is that our line of thought regarding women’s and men’s issues has become more refined,” said WRC Director Tina Oakland.

Oakland said the change is a necessary one, if not overdue. The idea isn’t to limit what the center has been offering to both women and men, but to expand services and make it clear that men are also welcomed at the center, Oakland said.

Men’s outreach programs will also continue playing a significant role in the center’s mission. Included are discussions and workshops on topics such as communication, sexual violence awareness and societal pressures on men.

Although the center has helped both men and women since it opened its doors in 1972, Oakland explained the decision to focus on women and use the word “women” in its name reflected the need to provide extra support for women during the 1970s – a decade characterized by many gains in the women’s movement.

“Since the center’s establishment, we realize now how both men and women may affect each other’s gender-related problems and that it does not make sense to help or focus on just women or just men,” Oakland said.

The organization will continue its educational programming and counseling on topics such as personal growth, relationships, sexual harassment and sex discrimination.

“The name change is a positive step in terms of making the center a safe and comfortable place for all students,” said Michael Chandler, men’s outreach coordinator. “Changing the name to be more inclusive will let women and men know we aren’t changing our focus, we’re letting all students know they are the focus.”

For women, the center will still provide counseling and education on how gender relations affect the campus social and academic climate. Other programs such as self-defense classes will also continue.

With additional funding, the center also plans to expand its returning student programs currently providing services ranging from study skills to daycare options for re-entering students ages 25 and older. Students with special circumstances, such as those without parents or students caring for elderly family members, are also helped.

“Besides gender issues, our purpose is to also help students coming from special backgrounds. These are students who differ from typical students, whether it’s their age or their situation at home,” Oakland said.

Additional funding from the Student Programs, Activities and Resource Complex will also allow the center to move from Dodd Hall’s basement to Men’s Gym, where center staff is certain the organization will be a more visible body.

“I believe that students will see the name change as a positive step. It may take a while for students to get used to the change, because so many of them have grown accustomed to its current name. But I am optimistic about our student’s ability to be flexible, and give new things a try,” Chandler said.

UCLA, however, is not the first school to make such a name change. According to a report from Oakland’s office, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, UC San Francisco and UC Riverside have changed their centers’ names for similar reasons.

USC also was one of the first to make a similar change about four years ago.

“It’s hard enough for a woman who has been raped to talk about it, but even harder for a man who has been raped. It doesn’t help when the only place he can talk about his experience in confidence is labeled a place for women,” said Elizabeth Davenport, USC’s assistant dean for student affairs.

Davenport, who works with USC’s Center for Women and Men, said the center’s usage by males increased from 18 percent prior to the name change to 26 percent after.

The UCLA center staff also hope more people will utilize their services.

Working with groups like Re-entry Bruins and the Student Health Advisory Committee, they said they want the center’s reach remains extended.

“I envision a center that will continue expanding its relationship with both existing and developing campus organizations, said Program Coordinator Jean Hotta. “Doing that will help us better serve the students.”

Comments

Post a comment