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LGBTQ Center Open Soon, Needs Space

A temporary room will be used this fall.

Almost a year after UNC administrators approved the conception of a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer resource center, LGBTQ students will finally have a place to call home.

Set to open sometime next week, the temporary center in Room 223 of the School of Social Work building will cater to the needs of the LGBTQ community.

Associate Provost Steve Allred said Thursday that administrators hope to establish a permanent location for the center but that due to limited office space on campus, it will be a couple of months before one can be found.

"We are looking all over," he said. "But it is at least an initial starting point."

Allred said it is important to get the resource center started even though a permanent spot is not available.

He said officials are looking to find a location that is accessible to both the campus community and area residents.

"We have a couple alternatives, but no big space is open right now," Allred said.

A long time coming, the resource center was a major request from the LGBTQ community in the LGBTQ Climate Report released by a new advisory board last May.

According to the report, the center will strive to combat what it deems to be widespread discrimination on campus through fostering a community center where LGBTQ students can feel welcome.

All are welcome at the center, but Allred said that the center will focus its programs on students. It will offer volunteer support sessions and public service programs for students. Allred said he envisions the center as a lounge where students can hang out in between classes.

"It will be a place where people can get information and feel welcome," he said.

Pamela Conover, chairwoman of the LGBTQ Advisory Board and a political science professor, said most of UNC's peer institutions already have resource centers. "It is not extraordinary, but it will catch UNC up to the same level as other universities," she said.

Conover said the advisory board will oversee the center, developing a budget to include a faculty director that will coordinate the center's programs.

Allred said the initial funds will come from Provost Robert Shelton's office, but no money will be allocated until the budget crisis is resolved by the N.C. General Assembly.

In a letter to Conover, Shelton said the budget problems will slow the center and other LGBTQ projects' development.

Allred said officials in the Office of Development are looking into using private money to fund the department.

Already a $3,000 donation has been received, as well as more than 600 books and magazines covering LGBTQ issues for the resource center.

"We have gotten an overwhelming response," said Glenn Grossman, a graduate student and member of the advisory board.

To donate money or materials to the LGBTQ Resource Center call Jeff Terry, assistant director of the annual fund, at 843-6143.

 

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.

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