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Re-Envisioning Project

Re-Envisioning Project

Supporting Student Success

Administered by 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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Thank you to our supporters!

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

For some IU Bloomington students, the LGBTQ+ Culture Center on campus is the first place they’ve ever felt at home. When they’re here, we want them to feel welcome, supported, and connected. Unfortunately, our current facility hinders our ability to provide the best experience for students.

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.

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Printable Gift Form

Right now, there's a special matching gift opportunity.

We thank all who have already contributed to the renovation costs, estimated to be $180,000. Your generosity will create a more welcoming, accessible, and useful space for students at IU. Since February 2023, individual gifts helped us achieve nearly eighty percent of our goal to raise $88,200 in private funds. We hope to raise the remainder with your help!

Thanks to the exceptional generosity of Re-Envisioning Project champions, if we receive $18,000 more in private support, all gifts will be matched 2:1 until the matching funds have been used, and we will achieve the overall goal for the project.

$18,900 of $18,000 has been raised since January 5, 2024.

Renovations to address function and increase student-friendly spaces will be made possible through a combination of support from individual alums and friends of IU, matching funds, grants, and institutional support. If you have any questions about the campaign or how to support it, please contact Jessica Wootten at jwootten@iu.edu or (812) 856-4237.

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.

Make this Vision a Reality

In the words of Katelyn King, a 2023 IU alum, former student staff member at the LGBTQ+ Culture Center, and a founding member of IU Bloomington’s Queer Student Union: “It’s a critical resource to have a place that says, ‘We accept you and we invite you in to be whoever you are.’ The center provides resources and connections, support, and friends. The value of community is immeasurable.”

You can make a truly profound difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ students at IU now and for years to come: Support the LGBTQ+ Culture Center Re-Envisioning Project today!

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Thank you to our supporters!

For nearly 30 years, our collective actions have helped IU provide a welcoming, affirming, and educational space for LGBTQ+ students. Join me in supporting the LGBTQ+ Culture Center's Re-Envisioning Project. Make this vision a reality!
Abbey Stemler, IU Queer Philanthropy Circle Chairperson.

Re-Envisioning Project

Supporting Student Success

Quick Links

Space Layout Challenges

Student Centered Spaces

Student Services Capacity

Designing Space to Meet Student Needs

Presentation of the LGBTQ+ Culture Center Re-Envisioning Project

Interior Design Package

Supporting the Re-Envisioning Project

Right now, there's a special matching gift opportunity.

Make this Vision a Reality

LGBTQ+ Culture Center resources and social media channels