The University of Utah closed three resource centers dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion after the state legislature passed H.B. 261, an anti-DEI bill, earlier this year. One of the resource centers closed was the LGBT Resource Center, which had supported and assisted LGBT students for 21 years.
But just because the U’s official LGBT Resource Center closed does not mean there aren’t other on-campus opportunities for LGBTQ+ students.
Student Organizations
“I’ve recently been working with some other LGBTQ+ student groups on campus, and we have two big projects that we’re starting,” Ien Zielinski said.
Zielinski is president of oSTEM, a club for LGBTQ+ students in STEM.
“We are primarily more of a social group, so we don’t do a lot of … professional development, or … activism protests or anything like that,” they explained. “We’re more focused on just building a safe space representing marginalized people in STEM.”
oSTEM isn’t the only student organization working to make a safe space for LGBTQ+ students. The LGBTQ+ Nursing Collective and Out for Business are built for LGBTQ+ students in their respective fields. Information on these organizations can be found here.
Out at the U Coalition
These three clubs have also committed to joining a new coalition called Out at the University of Utah. Zielinski and other LGBTQ+ student group leaders have worked to form this coalition of student organizations in the aftermath of H.B. 261.
Zielinski described how they hope Out at the University of Utah, or oUofU, can help fill gaps left by the LGBT Resource Center’s closing.
“We’re going to aim to do a couple of big events each semester,” they said. “So, for example, in April, we’ll be doing stuff for pride week. In November, we’re going to do some sort of … friends-giving activity.”
Student Pride Center
Zielinski said that in addition to planning events similar to those the LGBT Resource Center did previously, oUofU is working to provide LGBTQ+ students with a safe, supportive space with the new Student Pride Center.
“The Student Pride Center is that we can fill the void left by the closing of the LGBTQ+ Resource Center by creating a safe space for queer students and marginalized people on campus,” Zielinski said..
The Center will operate out of the Marriott Library three days a week: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Zielinski said the Center will be run by volunteers who will receive training on inclusivity and help others when they face discrimination.
“The Pride Center is really just to give people resources,” Zielinski said. “We’re partnering with some wonderful companies and industries that are going to provide some pamphlets and stuff talking about what resources are offered out there into the actual job world.”
Zielinski added The Pride Center will partner with the U’s new Community and Cultural Engagement Center. However, the Pride Center will remain compliant with H.B. 261 because it is a privately funded registered student organization.
The Center is on track to open during the first week of classes this fall semester and will operate through the last week of November.
“The main thing that I just want everybody who’s reading this and absorbing this information to be aware of is resource centers are closing, but they’re not going away,” Zielinski said. “Just because we have lost a battle doesn’t mean we’ve lost a war.”
James • Jul 30, 2024 at 11:02 am
So many more responsibilities have been thrust on students who are going to school, working, and now doing the work that their university should be doing. Students cannot provide the resources and the funding that a state school can, and it’s so sad that us students are left to pick up the pieces.