The programs are changing to meet the needs of students, but the mission of the Women’s Outreach Center to serve the needs of women hasn’t changed during its 10 years of existence.

“Over its history, one thing that has been constant over 10 years is the high level of student involvement,” said Kathy Moxley, Women’s Outreach Center director.

According to the center’s Web site, a needs assessment for students that was done on campus 10 years ago showed a need for a women’s resource center.

Moxley said they have 35 core student volunteers who serve as peer educators or interns, and she said they have another 100 students who volunteer from time to time.

“I had a background in women’s issues and thought it would be interesting to apply my background and work with students,” she said.

Moxley said she came onto the position as director of the Women’s Outreach Center two years ago.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to have the resources to start a few new programs and strengthen some of the older ones,” she said.

Rave Clay, philosophy and women’s and gender studies senior, said she does a lot of volunteer work with the Women’s Outreach Center.

“The Women’s Outreach Center made OU suck less,” Clay said. “It’s nice to know there is a place to go for resources. It’s a safe place to be and it’s good to know there are places like that that exist on campus.”

Clay said she is the co-coordinator for the Sexperts program, which goes out to student groups on campus to conduct a safe sex education program.

She said she is also a part of the Sooner Ally Program, which increases student and faculty’s understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues; it also provides support and resources to those students.

Moxley said they have also started “Step in, Speak Out,” which is a part of the sexual assault prevention program and the Student Ally Program.

She said the most recent program started is “Start Smart,” which helps women learn to negotiate their salary and get paid fairly for the work they do.

“I’d like to see us continue to offer the programs we do and respond to emerging student needs as the students change and their needs change over time,” Moxley said.

According to the Women’s Outreach Center Web site, the center is committed to addressing issues of gender, celebrating diversity, developing leaders, empowering women and promoting women’s achievement.

The center will be having a reception at 5 p.m. today in the Beaird Lounge in the Oklahoma Memorial Union, which is free and open to the public.

Women's Outreach Center programs

Breast Health Awareness- Informs students about breast health and resources for prevention.

Eating Disorder Awareness- The end of February is designated as Eating Disorders Awareness Week. They highlight this issue and the resources available.

Red Flag Campaign- Dating violence is an issue that some women face. This campaign hopes to raise awareness of unhealthy relationships and encourage women and men to look for the “red flags” in their relationships.

Resource and Referral- The Women’s Outreach Center has a list of services in the community for different issues that face women.

Sexperts- This is a peer education program in which students complete two days of training on safer sex education. This group presents safer sex education in residence halls, classrooms, fraternities and sororities.

Sexual Assault Awareness Programs- Raises awareness and provides education to prevent sexual assault on campus.

Sooner Ally- Increases student and faculty’s understanding of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender issues while also providing support and resources to those students.

Speakers- These are hosted throughout the year to address the needs of women.

Start Smart Workshop- Provides women with information on how to overcome the gender wage gap through negotiation skills.

Step in, Speak Out- Part of the sexual assault prevention program that educates students on risk reduction while supporting survivors and enhancing the bystanders education.

“The Vagina Monologues”- A national event that happens in February. OU hosts its performances for two nights in Meacham Auditorium.

Women’s Equality Day- Occurs Aug. 26 and celebrates the adoption of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote.

Women’s History Month- Occurs every March and celebrates the contributions women have made to our world.

Resources offered by the Women’s Outreach Center: Breast health resource list, child care resources, dating and domestic violence resource list, eating disorder resource list, LGBT resource list, sexual assault resource list, sexual health resource list, single parent booklist, stalking resources and working women resources

Source: Women’s Outreach Center Web Site, http://studentlife.ou.edu/content/view/161/