Different culture centers spotlighted at resource fair

By Kelly Marshall

A comprehensive view of all the different resource centers available to NIU students was given at the resource fair on Wednesday in continuation of Martin Luther King Jr. service week.

The purpose for the advocacy and service programs is to allow the different culture centers to come together and make students aware of what each center does.

The informative fair was held from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday in the Glass Gallery of the Holmes Student Center.

“I liked the fact that the Women’s Resource Center had this event,” said junior sociology major Regina Council. “It definitely showed me the diversity here on campus because I didn’t know there was a STEM program.”

Different resource centers participated in the event, such as the LGBTIQA, the Asian Resource Center, STEM, the Women’s Resource Center and the Latino Resource Center.

“The reason for this is because is shows culture center service and advocacy in action,” said WRC Assistant Director Carrie Williams.

The Women’s Resource Center welcomes also welcomes men to utilize its services. There are different male organizations on campus that are involved with the Center. The WRC wants to provide an environment of mutual respect and equality for women and men on campus and in the community.

The WRC is striving to be recognized at the local, regional and national level for its work in creating gender equality.

“This center provides a home away from home,” said Williams.

The WRC is committed to creating a campus where students will feel safe for who you are and who you wish to become. This includes a commitment to prevent and respond to incidents of sexual violence, intimate partner violence (dating or domestic violence) and stalking.

Victim Advocacy Services (VAS) at NIU is available to all students who have been directly or indirectly impacted by sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking. VAS is available to provide ongoing support and advocacy for continued recovery and progress on personal and academic goals.

VAS provides assistance for a victim/survivor through the legal and judicial process, as well.

VAS is available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday during the academic year.

The Women’s Resource Center will host Hot Topic Tuesday from 6 to 7 P.m. in the Holmes Student Center’s Lincoln Room.

For more information on the Women’s Resource Center and upcoming events, e-mail [email protected] or call 815-753-0320