By Rebecca Wyatt, OU Web Writer

The Gender and Sexuality Center and Student Resource Center, both located in the lower level of the Oakland Center, officially opened their doors and offer students a variety of resources in a number of areas.

The Gender and Sexuality Center offers mentoring, resources, advice and support in the areas of gender and sexuality, domestic abuse, sexual assault, sexually transmitted diseases, harassment and any other issues related to gender and sexuality.

The center will refer students to on-campus resources like Graham Health Center, the Recreation and Athletics Center and OU Police Department for specific issues. The GSC also is working with nonprofit organizations outside the university that can offer services to students. The center currently is working with other student organizations to develop programming to help educate the campus community about gender and sexuality issues.

Another student-focused center, the Student Resource Center, is a place for students and organizations to utilize a variety of resources including computers, printers, bulletin board materials, office supplies, on-campus mailboxes, conference tables and meeting space for campus activities free of charge.

Located across the hall from the Center for Student Activities, the Student Resource Center is next to the Student Technology Center in the space once occupied by student organization cubicles.

“Rearranging the space in this way makes it more collaborative and useful,” said Samantha Hardenburgh, coordinator of student leadership development.

Organizations displaced by the reorganization will be given storage space in the office once the storage cabinets are installed in the coming weeks.

Hardenburgh, along with Cressie Smith, coordinator of student organizations and Greek life, have relocated from the Center for Student Activities office to the Student Resources Center, providing students better access to them. Hardenburgh and Smith have plans to offer resources to students on diversity, commuter challenges, community service and leadership.

“Now that students are going to be able to get here and use the Student Resource Center, we are open to seeing what they want and what they need,” Smith said. 

Located next to the Center for Student Activities, the Gender and Sexuality Center provides books, magazines and computer links for students to explore in a relaxed and comfortable environment.

“The Gender and Sexuality Center is something completely new and creative,” said Heather Brewer, GSC manager and women’s studies student. “I’m very honored to be in this position and be helping to get it off the ground.”

Right now, there are no set hours for the GSC, but Brewer expects to be there 20 hours a week and with the help of volunteers and two yet-to-be-named student interns, she plans for the center to be open as much as students need it. 

“We’re going to try and keep the doors open as much as possible,” she said.

The Student Resource Center will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. Additional evening and weekend hours will be added as resources become available.

For more information on either the Gender and Sexuality Center or the Student Resource Center, contact the Center for Student Activities at (248) 370-2400 or csa@oakland.edu. The S.A.F.E. on Campus Web site also has additional information about the Gender and Sexuality Center.