University of Minnesota's Office for University Women changes name to "Women's Center"

Contacts: Peg Lonnquist, Women’s Center, (612) 625-6039
Ami Berger, Office for Equity and Diversity, (612) 625-0498

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (08/11/2008) — On August 1, the Office for University Women at the University of Minnesota will officially change its name to the Women's Center. The Women’s Center is a unit of the University’s Office for Equity and Diversity.

The name change reflects the evolution of women’s achievements, roles and challenges at the university and across higher education in the office’s near 50-year history.This unit, which grew out of the Minnesota Plan for the Continuing Education of Women, was later known as both the Commission on Women and the Minnesota Women’s Center, and in 1998, became the Office for University Women.

“Our constituents had been asking for a name that communicated a more inviting and welcoming message, that would enable incoming and current student, faculty and staff women to more easily find and utilize our programs and services, and that would reflect our continuing ability to adapt to the dynamic needs of our diverse constituency,” said Peg Lonnquist, interim director of the Women’s Center.After a lengthy consultation process, the “Women’s Center” title was chosen.

Founded in 1960, the Women’s Center has a rich history of serving the needs of the university’s female faculty, staff, and students. The University of Minnesota was the first institution in the nation to create an office dedicated to the concerns of academic women, and since then, the office has established many programs, services, and initiatives to support the success of all women at the University.

According to Nancy “Rusty” Barceló, the university’s vice president and vice provost for equity and diversity, the Women’s Center has always been at the forefront of national efforts to address challenges faced by women in higher education. “As we go forward, the Women’s Center at the University of Minnesota will continue its role as a catalyst for women's equity and empowerment,” said Barceló. “The Women’s Center is a vital part of the university’s effort to support women’s achievement and success through collaboration, leadership development, educational programs and policy change.”