Our History

The GEC has a unique history and place on our campus. When members of the OU community have a vision, anything can happen. One such vision became a reality after a needs assessment was conducted in order to establish a women’s Center on the Norman campus of the University of Oklahoma. In November of 1999, the Women’s Outreach Center opened its doors as a part of Student Life.

From the moment the ribbon was cut at the Center’s grand opening, we have served the OU community offering referrals and student support in the heart of the Oklahoma Memorial Union. The Center has made tremendous strides and changes over the years. Some of the Center’s initial programs included the Sister to Sister Mentoring Program, World AIDS Day Quilt, Women and Wheels auto maintenance workshop, Clothesline Project, Rape Awareness Week, eating disorders awareness, and various support groups.

In fall 2008, the Peer Educator program expanded to include sexual assault prevention. These peer educators give Step In, Speak Out and Our Voice presentations, focusing on consent and active bystander intervention issues. In the fall of 2017, Step In, Speak Out became mandatory training for all incoming freshman and transfer students. Also, in 2008, the Women’s Outreach Center developed the Sooner Ally program, then later changed to LGBTQ+ Aspiring Ally, to reduce prejudices towards the LGBTQ+ students as well as to provide different resources on and off-campus. The Aspiring Ally programs expanded to adapt to the needs of LGBTQ+ students and other specific groups such as Medical, K-12, or Greek Allies. INTRODUCTION

Our History

INTRODUCTION

In 2008, the Center took over the Sexual Assault Response Team for the University and eventually rebranded to form OU Advocates. OU Advocates is a group of staff from the Division of Student Affairs, trained to respond 24/7 in the event of a student experiencing sexual assault.

In 2010, the Center launched the LGBTQ+ Program Advisory Board. The advisory board is made up of undergraduate and graduate students creating program opportunities that will help educate and build awareness and support for our LGBTQ+ students and the broader campus community. Throughout the year, the LGBTQ+ Program Advisory Board hosted many events to help educate and raise awareness, such as Candle Light Vigil, National Coming Out Day, LGBTQ+ History Month, and LGBTQ+ Health Week. The Program Advisory Board has now becomes a programming branch of the Center’s LGBTQ+ Programs.

In 2015, the Women’s Outreach Center changed its name and came to be known as the Gender + Equality Center, better encompassing the work done by the Center. In 2020, the LGBTQ+ Programs launched the Mentorship Program that connects LGBTQ+ students to their peers and alumni members.

While some of the programs have changed over the years, the mission to support students on OU’s campus has not. Building awareness through outreach, hosting seminars, and providing resources and referrals are all a part of the Gender + Equality Center today. We continue to be committed to addressing issues of gender, celebrating diversity, developing leaders, empowering students, and supporting the LGBTQ community.