Center’s goals expand with name change

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.”