Weber State to Open New LGBT Resource Center

OGDEN, Utah — Continuing its efforts to promote diversity and unity, Weber State University will open its new LGBT Resource Center on Jan. 27 at 10:30 a.m. The center is housed in the Students Services Center on WSU’s Ogden Campus.
 
“We are truly living out our inclusivity statement,” said Adrienne Gillespie Andrews, WSU special assistant to the president for diversity. “We are inclusive and welcoming to people of all walks of life on our campus and our campus community.”
 
LGBT Resource Center coordinator Jayson Stokes said that LGBT students face similar needs and challenges as other minority groups on campus. The new resource center is designed to help meet those needs.
 
“The primary purpose of the center is to consolidate resources for LGBT students and to advocate for students in terms of campus climate and extracurricular activities,” he said.
 
The vision statement of the new center is “celebrating the fullness of who you are, where you are.” Andrews said that to carry out that vision, the center would focus on its mission statement, which is “cultivating a welcoming and safe environment for the LGBT community, their families, friends and allies through access, learning and support.”
 
The center will offer various trainings for students, faculty and community members to help people better understand the LGBT community and its unique challenges and terminology. Safe zone allied trainings and transgender trainings will be offered to educate participants about sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and gender expression.
 
In addition, the center will offer activities such as a book club and a film series. The center also will collaborate with other university departments for various events.
 
Andrews worked closely with WSU President Charles Wight and Provost Michael Vaughan, who both gave their full support to the project. The Center for Diversity and Unity presented the project to the president’s council, the board of trustees and finally to the Utah State Board of Higher Education, all of which approved the creation of the center.
 
 “This project moved me to tears because the commitment of our president and our provost was exceptional,” Andrews said. “They were willing to ask tough questions, they supported our students, and they were willing to dedicate the resources necessary to make this a successful endeavor. When you have that level of leadership around diversity and inclusion, anything is possible.”
 
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
 

Author:
Marcus Jensen, Office of Marketing & Communications
801-626-7295 • marcusjensen@weber.edu
Contact:
Jayson Stokes, LGBT Resource Center coordinator
801-626-7271 • jaysonstokes@weber.edu