Rollins is constantly evolving its gender identity and sexuality resources and services to best support students, said Abby Hollern, director of the Center for Inclusion and Campus Involvement (CICI). And in the spirit of the new Lucy Cross Center opening this summer, several opportunities for gender and sexuality education are available on campus.
The Lucy Cross Center
The Lucy Cross Center for Women, Gender, and Sexuality, established in 2010, is now located on the first floor of Lakeside Neighborhood.
Leaders of CICI changed the center’s name over the summer in order to “‘better represent gender as a spectrum and that our Lucy Cross Center is not meant to exclude anyone based on gender identity, especially our trans or gender non-conforming students,’” Hollern said in an article published by The Sandspur.
The center holds monthly Lessons with Lucy sessions, in which faculty members present educational tools on gender and sexuality. The Sept. 10 Lesson discussed supporting gender fluid children during the transitional process of their identity and was facilitated by Dr. Sharon Carnahan, professor of psychology and executive director of the Child Development & Student Research Center. The next Lesson will be held on Nov. 5.
The center also conducts monthly Womxn of Color Roundtable discussions, the first of which occurred on Sept. 24 in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.
“We’re cognizant of the shifting demographics and are keen to strengthen the support for students by working with relevant stakeholders and communicating our progress on building an inclusive living and learning environment,” Hollern said.
Updates and announcements for future events can be found on the center’s Instagram page.
SWAG
The Sexuality, Women, and Gender Studies (SWAG) minor provides an intersectional analysis of how race, class, gender, sexuality, ability, and other aspects of identity shape the experiences of individuals and groups.
This semester, some courses offered by the department include Gender and Beauty in American Culture and Feminist Methodology.
Department Chair Dr. Ryan Musgrave provides advising sessions for students looking for more information regarding academic resources for gender and sexuality. Students are encouraged to email Musgrave for more information.
Student Organizations
Spectrum is “an organization that provides and values opportunities to lead, educate, and support others for who they are, regardless of which gender and/or sexuality they identify with,” said Spectrum President Zachary Mendez (‘22). Spectrum hosts discussions and partners with other organizations on campus to host events. Check out Spectrum’s Instagram page for more information.
In addition, the organization Voices provides support and empowerment to womxn and allies at Rollins, bringing awareness to the community on issues of domestic violence, gender inequality, and intersectional feminism. The club’s first meeting of the semester will take place Sept. 28 at the Lucy Cross Center. Updates on events and scheduling can be found on Instagram.
The Office of Title IX
The Office of Title IX leads Rollins’ efforts to prevent and respond to discrimination on the basis of sex, including sexual harassment. While reporting to the office is non-confidential, other resources on campus provide confidential support regarding mental health and sexual assault on campus, including the following:
| CONFIDENTIAL RESOURCES |
| The Wellness Center407-628-6340 |
| Reverend Katrina Jenkins – Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life407-646-2440 |
| CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services)407-628-6340 |
| Victim Advocate from the Victim Service Center (VSC) of Central Florida 407-500-HEAL |
Gender-neutral Housing
Information regarding applying for gender-neutral housing as well as the map of locations of gender-neutral restrooms on campus are available on the college website.
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