LGBT Center Earns $32,000 Technology and Training Grant
February 16, 2005
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.