Northwestern adminstrators have finally acted on demands for a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender resource center; a new office will open as soon as the furniture arrives by the end of this week. And while any center might be better than no center at all, the new space — a cramped room in the middle of Norris University Center’s busy third floor — might actually deter potential users.
Several groups, including Associated Student Government and the Undergraduate Budget Priorities Committee, voiced support for creating the center last spring. It will provide resources and a part-time adviser for LGBT students and supporters and raise awareness on campus. NU offers a similar service to other minority groups, including blacks, Asian-Americans and Latinos.
But instead of providing space in a house on Sheridan Road, as many supporters had requested, adminstrators offered Office L. The office is smaller than some dorm rooms, leaving little space for resources or people.
More importantly, it is in an extremely busy area of Norris. A large window covers one wall of the office, providing a clear view of other student group offices and everyone who passes by. Students who are questioning their sexual orientation or hesitant about revealing a sexual preference might avoid the office because it is so visible to the public. Other minority groups rarely require the privacy that LGBT students need, yet they have much more secluded locations.
With the recent opening of Crowe Hall, many offices along Sheridan Road moved. In the rearranging NU officials could have found a more suitable space for the resource center.
Several of NU’s peer institutions, including Princeton and Brown universities and most of the Big Ten, offer LGBT resource centers. University President Henry Bienen has said that, in regard to this issue, NU does not have to follow the lead of other conference schools. But many of the schools that NU does frequently compare itself to respect the needs of their LGBT students. NU should as well.
Administrators should not confuse slow student traffic through the new center with a lack of need. Instead, officials should consider the nature of the center’s services and provide a more appropriate space.
