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Duke University's Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Life has won a $32,000 grant to help upgrade the center's technological resources--including the development of a "CyberCenter" aimed at helping closeted Duke students connect with center staff, with "out" students, and with one another.

The grant was awarded by the Los Angeles-based David Bohnett Foundation, which annually provides "funding, state-of-the-art technology, and technical support to innovative organizations and institutions."

Michael Fleming, executive director of the David Bohnett Foundation, said, "We are honored to fund our latest David Bohnett CyberCenter at Duke. We are especially heartened that this University, one of the nation's preeminent centers of learning, has committed the talent, resources and space to building one of the country's most successful university-based LGBT centers. We are excited to be a part of this important effort."

Dr. Karen Krahulik, director of Duke's LGBT Center, says that beyond equipping the center with additional computers--up to 10 more--and supporting hardware and software, grant funds will be used to train Duke students to utilize the computer workstations for peer education purposes.

"The CyberCenter will fill a desperately needed gap in our current programming," says Krahulik. "We will be reaching out specifically to closeted gay students who have formed an online community but who do not feel comfortable visiting the LGBT Center in person. The best way to support these students is to do so 'virtually' since they will not come to the LGBT Center due to fear of disclosure--due to fear of coming out on the Duke campus."

David Bohnett CyberCenters exist at LGBT community centers around the nation; however, Duke and UCLA stand as the only universities that have earned grants from the foundation. UCLA established the first university-based cybercenter last year. Duke plans to go one step farther by developing a peer education component.

Says Krahulik, "We will be on the forefront when compared to our colleagues at other LGBT Centers/offices nationwide. This will further distinguish us as one of the premier centers in the country and by connection do the same for Duke's Division of Student Affairs."

Staff in the LGBT Center will collaborate with the Healthy Devil Program in Student Health and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) to train peer educators. (Students interested in becoming peer educators can call or write the center staff at 684-6607 or lgbtcenter@duke.edu.)

The grant also will allow more students--especially those without laptops--to do academic work in the center. All students, faculty, and staff, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, will be granted access to the new David Bohnett CyberCenter. The center is located in Room 02 of the West Union Building.

"We are dedicated to improving our programming; we are dedicated to our students--even those who will not or cannot come to the LGBT Center; and we are dedicated to using the latest technology and outside resources to accomplish our goals," says Krahulik.

The David Bohnett Cybercenter at Duke will be open for use in early March. A formal "grand opening" of the facility will take place later in the spring semester.