On Feb. 7, Utica University opened a new LGBTQ+ Victims Service and Violence Prevention Resource Center in Strebel Student Center 207. The room is designed to be a safe place for students who are members of the LGBTQ+ community and provide resources for victims of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.

This new addition comes after President Donald Trump’s policy changes regarding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices in the federal government. DEI serves as a framework for creating a welcoming and diverse environment for all people, in all places. According to AP News, the Trump administration is giving school’s and universities two weeks to eliminate these diversity initiatives, or they risk losing federal grant money.

The idea for this space originally came from Dean of Students Richard Racioppa, along with Director of Victim Advocacy and Violence Prevention Initiatives Mathew Vincent, who helped lead the charge to provide students with a safe space and the resources they may need. 

“[Richard Racioppa], acknowledged that there is a need on our campus for a space dedicated to being a welcoming environment for students identifying in the LGBTQ+ community,” Vincent said.

Vincent’s office is also connected to this new space and he is in charge of operations at the new center. According to Vincent, the physical space provides not only resources for victims of violence, but campus advocates will also be in this space for students to share experiences and get the help they need.

“The resource center is specifically targeted to the LGBTQ+ community to make it a bit more warm, welcoming, and to make sure that community feels like they have a place on this campus where they feel like they belong,” Vincent said.

Along with the new LGBTQ+ Victims Resource Center, there is an attached room called the Telehealth Center. This space can be reserved through Navigate by students who want a safe quiet space to meet with their online therapist or counselor. According to Vincent, this therapist/counselor can be booked through the university’s virtual counseling service, Uwill, or a personal outlet; either way this space is available to all students.

“This space can also be used as a hang out space, a place to get work done or to do craft things like color,” Vincent said. “Students are more than welcome to just explore the space and see what they want to utilize.”

 The new Telehealth and LGBTQ+ Victims Resource Center is open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., which are the university’s business hours. However, Vincent is hoping to work it out so that the room is open to students whenever they may need it, whether that be during the work day or late at night. 

Vincent added: “For either the space, the Telehealth or the Resource Center, we are hoping students find things that they are looking for or needing, and we are hoping to reach those needs.”