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Re-Envisioning Project

Re-Envisioning Project

Supporting Student Success

As part of the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (OVPDEI), the LGBTQ+ Culture Center provides a comprehensive range of education and advocacy services designed to support intersectional identity development, as well as foster unity, diversity, and inclusiveness for IU’s LGBTQ+ community and individuals seeking to expand their knowledge of LGBTQ+ issues. In addition, the LGBTQ+ Culture Center serves as a place where students can find the resources and support needed for a successful college experience.

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Space Layout Challenges

The LGBTQ+ Culture Center has grown along with our community at Indiana University since the doors of the one-room resource center opened in 1994, to today, where the center encompasses the entire house at 705 E. Seventh Street. Unfortunately, although we celebrate our dedicated space, the layout of the house is not student friendly, creating challenges:

Student Centered Spaces

Students entering the center must bypass three staff spaces before reaching a student-centered space.
The current student lounge is upstairs, with a seating capacity of eight people. Many events are hosted outside the center simply because there is not enough room.

Student Services Capacity

The current Gender Affirming Closet is housed in moving boxes and requires some time and energy to find requested items. Space limits the range of selections, seating, and dressing area.
Counseling and HIV Testing Room does not functionally or esthetically meet needs.

Designing Space to Meet Student Needs

To support the needs of students today and tomorrow, the director of the LGBTQ+ Culture Center, in collaboration with students, worked with the Indiana University Office of Space Planning to envision a new layout for the center that is welcoming, functional, and student friendly. These efforts include a new student cafe and lounge, revamped library space; a new Counseling and HIV Testing room; an updated conference room with new furniture, functionality, and capacity; and a room for the Gender Affirming Closet.

Screenshot of PPT for proposed layout of center remodel.

Presentation of the LGBTQ+ Culture Center Re-Envisioning Project

IU students passionately share the proposed redesign in this short presentation to the Queer Philanthropy Circle.

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Picture of different interior design options for a counseling office.

Interior Design Package

New tapestry, color, and furniture samples help complete the redesign.

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Supporting the Re-Envisioning Project

Private funds are needed to help us move the LGBTQ+ Culture Center Re-Envisioning Project forward.

Funding breakdown: $20,000 from IU Queer Philanthropy Circle; $46,000 IU from Queer Philanthropy and Members Match Funds; $25,000 from IU Department Commitments; $88,200 from Private Funds Needed.

Re-Envisioning Project: A message from Bruce Smail, Director of the LGBTQ+ Culture Center and Special Assistant to the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Make this Vision a Reality

The total cost of the Re-Envisioning Project is $180,000. Contributions of any amount will help us reach funding goals and allow us to create more welcoming, functional, and student-friendly spaces. Thank you to the generosity of the IU Queer Philanthropy Circle and its members, every dollar will be matched up to $46,000 upon reaching the $88,200 private funds goal. Join us in making the LGBTQ+ Culture Center Re-Envisioning Project a reality.

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$20,855 of the $88,200 has been raised through donor gifts as of October 24, 2023.

The Indiana University Foundation solicits tax-deductible private contributions for the benefit of Indiana University and is registered to solicit charitable contributions in all states requiring registration. For our full disclosure statement, see go.iu.edu/89n.