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Wayne State University Undergraduate Research Conference

Wayne State University Undergraduate Research Conference . The Gender and Sexuality Resource Community is a student lead project with widespread campus, faculty, staff, and community support that was launched in the Spring of 2008 after receiving an honors undergraduate research grant.

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Wayne State University Undergraduate Research Conference

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  1. Wayne State University Undergraduate Research Conference

  2. The Gender and Sexuality Resource Community is a student lead project with widespread campus, faculty, staff, and community support that was launched in the Spring of 2008 after receiving an honors undergraduate research grant.

  3. The Gender and Sexuality Resource Community (GSRC) Purpose: ~ to establish a sustainable campus base where all students can come together in a safe, welcoming, and informative space to exchange opinions and share ideas on issues of gender and sexuality~

  4. Why the GSRC is important • As of 2007, WSU was the only major university in the state lacking a dedicated office or resource center that addresses issues of gender and sexuality; • Michigan State has its LGBT Resource Center, • The University of Michigan has its Spectrum Center, • Oakland University has its Gender and Sexuality Center, and • Central Michigan University has a designated Office of Gay and Lesbian Programs. “If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.” ~ JFK

  5. Where the GSRC is: Room 313 of the Student Center Open 9 am- 6 pm Monday-Friday Hours approximate & moving soon to room 309/311

  6. Campus Partners Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Student Union (GLBTA)- Philip McDonald, Katrina Fenton, Tiffany Thompson Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance (FMLA) - Lindsey Snoes Students For Choice (SFC)- Madison Marcus Sexual Aggression Student Educators and Advocates (SASEA)- Adrianne Stefanski

  7. Community Supporters

  8. Faculty Advisors: Coming together, sharing together, working together, succeeding together. Dr. Corvino Dr. Ranny Dr. Diaz Dr. Chess

  9. www.gsrc.wayne.edu Our website has enabled us to conduct research, answer questions, provide information, promote events, encourage participation, and increase the GSRC’S visibility and accessibility.

  10. About the GSRC: Research Peer Education/Mentoring Advocacy/Outreach Social Networking/Community Involvement Event Programming Campus Activities Resources/Referrals Lending Library

  11. What: Our primary investigation was a comprehensive evaluation of the attitudes of students, staff, and faculty toward issues of gender and sexuality on campus as well as their opinions on the upcoming GSRC at WSU. Additionally, a demographic snapshot was achieved through a series of 5 questions. • How:18 question survey distributed by DOSO through the all@wayne.edu listserve. • Why Research? By tracking the progress of the GSRC by comparing initial feedback to input received through follow up surveys, we can have a dynamic approach that ensures the GSRC is broadly representative of students attitudes, interests, & needs. Research

  12. 697 total respondents Average age was 31.9 years The distribution of ages was 18-72 and was strongly right-skewed, meaning that most respondents were younger than 30.

  13. The vast majority of respondents were Caucasian. The next most-represented group was African Americans.

  14. 45% of respondents were undergraduates, with graduate students, staff, and faculty comprising decreasing percentages.

  15. Approximately two thirds of respondents were female and the rest were mostly male; only 5 were transgender.

  16. 71% were heterosexual, 14% were homosexual, and 11% were bisexual.

  17. 75% of respondents did not consider themselves members of the GLBTQ community while 22% did. Of the 195 who commented, many did not identify as GLBT but felt as allies that they belonged to the community.

  18. 45% of respondents said that they would not utilize the resources provided by the GSRC while 36% said that they would.

  19. The three most highly-desired services were HIV/STD testing and prevention, educational seminars, and support groups; peer counseling was a close fourth.

  20. anti-discrimination legislation, gender equality, & HIV/STD prevention

  21. educational seminars, hosting speakers and debates, & social events

  22. On a scale of one to ten, one being the lowest, respondents’ average anticipated comfort level visiting the GSRC was 7.2

  23. They rated the tolerance of the WSU campus community at an average of 6.8

  24. Respondents’ average perceived comfort level with the general atmosphere at WSU involving issues of gender and sexuality was 7.3

  25. Perceived potential of the GSRC to promote awareness of issues of gender and sexuality and to elicit positive social change in the form of increased acceptance or tolerance was 7.0

  26. 22% of respondents at some point felt discriminated against at WSU based on their gender identification

  27. 10% had felt discriminated against based on their sexual orientation

  28. Survey Results for Strategic Planning We will use the results of the survey for event programming, resource distribution, and the provision of services. We will continue to regularly incorporate student, staff, and faculty feedback received through person-person suggestions, feedback forms located at the GSRC, and online discussions located on the website, into the future plans of the GSRC. Plans for a follow up survey to gauge how well the GSRC has achieved its goals.

  29. Peer Education/Mentoring Student volunteers of diverse backgrounds belong29ng to numerous collaborating organizations provide advice and support on a wide range of issues related to gender and sexuality. Insert example of email

  30. A Demonstration of the Demand: Image 5: A GSRC contact form-generated e-mail from a WSU-affiliated individual And hope for the future of the GSRC

  31. Hope for the Future… Image 6: The follow-up response from the individual after peer counseling.

  32. Advocacy/Outreach We reach out to all WSU students & youth in the community through our website, fliers, regular meetings, and community & campus events, to ensure that we are available for those who need us. By making our resources, services, & ourselves readily available, we are able to answer the questions questions and address the concerns of interested students.

  33. Image 7: A direct e-mail request for information from a WSU-affiliated individual

  34. “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.” Isaac Newton Image 8: The follow-up response from the individual after receiving information from the GSRC.

  35. Social Networking & Community Involvement WSU GLBTA supports the 2008 AIDS Walk Detroit WSU GLBTA volunteers at the Ruth Ellis Center, a place where homeless GLBTA youth can call home

  36. Event Programming • 6/11/08 - SASEA Information Session (Adrianne Stefanski) • 6/18/08 - Proceed with Caution: Managing Desire in the Classroom (Donny Peters) • 6/25/08 - Trans 201: Deconstructing Gender (Madison McEvilly) • 7/9/08 - Sexual Health Seminar (Mary White, RN) • 7/22/08 - Body Image and Media Literacy (Thinkgirl) • 7/30/08 - Examining Representations of Sexuality in Educational Curricula (Dr. Sandy Pensoneau-Conway) • 8/13/08 - Issues Facing GLBT Students When Coming Out (Dr. Steven Schoeberlein) • 8/20/08 - How to Know It When You See It (And What to Do about It) • 8/26/08 - Playing Nice with Bigots (Dr. John Corvino) • 8/27/08 - Homosexuality and Religion (Rev. Mark Bidwell) • 10/09/08- Homosexuality and Religion (Rev. Mark Bidwell) • 10/10/08- GSRC Coffee Chat (GSRC members and students) • 11/4/08- Trans Tea Party (Madison McEvilly, Lance Hicks)

  37. Campus Activities

  38. Resources/Referrals available for Coming Out Women’s Rights Gender and Sexuality Sex Education/Contraception Drug Use & Abuse counseling STD/STI prevention and counseling Domestic Abuse/Sexual Abuse and Violence Info for families and friends of GLBTA people

  39. Lending Library • Books • The Constitutional And Legal Rights of Women: Cases in Law And Social Change • The Male Body: A New Look at Men in Public and in Private • The Feminist Papers: From Adams to de Beauvoir • The Rise and Fall of Gay Culture • Reflections on Gender and Science • Queerly Classed: Gay Men & Lesbians Write about Class • The Politics of Women's Bodies: Sexuality, Appearance, and Behavior • Encyclopedia of Sex & Gender • The Corporate Closet: The Professional Lives of Gay Men in America Periodicals: Z Magazine The Advocate Out Magazine Ms. Magazine Bitch Magazine Citizen Magazine Reason Magazine Parents Magazine Fit Pregnancy Magazine Off Our Backs Magazine Celebrate Life Magazine The Gay & Lesbian Review Worldwide Including many more books, journals, and DVDs on a wide range of gender and sexuality subjects

  40. A Special Thanks To: The Honors Department, Dean Strauss (DOSO), & Philip McDonald For helping us make this all possible

  41. SUPPORT US Visit the GSRC, check out the website www.gsrc.wayne.edu, and spread the word!

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