June 13, 2003

Contact: Todd Cohen, University Relations, (785) 864-8858.

Student organizations, leadership office to change name, add services

LAWRENCE -- As part of the ongoing reorganization and streamlining of student services at the University of Kansas, the Student Organizations and Leadership Development Center will change its name and add four programs transferred from other divisions within the Office of Student Success.

The organizations and leadership office, located in the Kansas Union, will become the Center for Campus Life effective July 1.

The Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center and the Men's Outreach Program will become part of the Center for Campus Life, as will Nontraditional Student Services and the Lesbian/Bisexual/Gay/Transgender Services, now part of the Student Development Center. The four programs, now located in Strong Hall, will relocate to the Center for Campus Life's office on the fourth level of the union.

The KU student Leadership Programs, Fraternity-Sorority Life (formerly Greek Programs) and Optional Campus Fees will remain in the Center for Campus Life office. However, the University Information Center, better known as KU Info, will join KU Libraries and this fall will move its office to the front desk area in Anschutz Library. KU Info will resume telephone service when the fall semester begins.

The reorganization is based on results of this spring's Student Senate Task Force on Women Students' Needs and the Office of the Provost's Task Force on the Structure and Delivery of Student Services report.

"These changes will consolidate very important services and make them more accessible and effective for students," said Danny Kaiser, director of the new Center for Campus Life. "The union is the hub of student activity on campus, so locating all these services together in the same office will only improve them."

Kathy Rose-Mockry, director of the Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center, said, "We look forward to taking this opportunity to collaborate with other services and work even more closely with students in our programs and advocacy efforts."

The Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center provides information, resources, and assistance on women's and gender-related issues. Its programs include the Sexual Assault Prevention and Education Program and the annual Women's Recognition program.