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Following up from our interim report, the Womens and Trans* Centre (WTC) Ad-Hoc Committee proceeded with the completion of any outstanding tasks under the mandate and the dissemination of a survey to access the Safety and Support concerns of students on campus.

MANDATE AND PROGRESS

In line with the committee's original mandate, and following up from our interim report, the following is a summary of our second semester work and progress on our given tasks. Feedback In revisiting the mandate of this committee, the subcommittee for student feedback compiled a survey that would encapsulate the needs of students on campus. These needs pertained to safety and support, as well as potential use of services and programs. The subcommittee brought forward initial drafts which were edited by the committee at large. The results of this survey will be discussed below. Operational Structure Research and development of potential operating policies was also included in the mandate. Our operations subcommittee drafted an operations policy comprised of the purpose of a centre, its operating parameters, and personnel structure. One of our recommendations is that this operations policy remain a living document open to revisions and amendment until it is brought forward as a motion for approval of the centre. Partnership and Funding Exploration Funding and partnership options have been researched, with further work to be accomplished by future committee members. An application for the Student Life Enhancement Fund was submitted for a $5000 grant that would be put toward a resource library. Communication was established with the MSU VP of Finances to discuss the logistical concern of liability insurance and the costs associated with finding a location on campus for the WTC. Partnerships between the university, the MSU, and community organizations such as SACHA were discussed within the committee as possibilities. Relation to MSU Services The QSCC deals directly with sexual orientation, as the principle participant in assisting the growth and development of the Queer community in the Greater Hamilton Area (QSCC Operating Policy). This leaves a gap for individuals who are of diverse gender identities and expressions but do not identify as queer. It is imperative to make the distinction between sexual orientation and gender presentation and identity. Furthermore, the QSCC will operate as a safe space and contact point for queer people and their supporters on campus. This is a designated space that offers refuge and social activities for many students on campus, but does not sufficiently meet the needs of other women and trans* identified students, of heterosexual orientation for example, who wish to have a safe space that do not necessitate the distinction as a queer-focused forum. The social events and activities that are aimed to be for trans* students include the Trans Friendly Swim and Drag Night; however, based on the respondents that identified outside of the gender binary, it is evident that there are students that have chosen not to access these activities. This may be due In part to perceptions of inaccessibility or due to the limit

in diversity of activities. A collaboration between the QSCC and a WTC would allow for all women and trans* students to have access to a safe space most adequately relating to their needs. The purpose of SHEC is to deal with student health relating sexual health, nutrition, addictions, and general health issues (stress, depression, etc). They offer peer support services, in correlation to said issues. This is not a service that primarily addresses gender issues, nor does this service serve as a central principle on gender related education and advocacy.

QUANTITATIVE SURVEY ANALYSIS

Demographics The data for this analysis was collected from March 8-15, 2013. We received 237 respondents. From this total, 16% of respondents were men, 80% women, and 3% identify outside the gender binaries. From the total number of respondents, 12% were in their first year, 27% in second year, 20% in third, 23% in fourth, 11% in fifth year (or greater but still in undergraduate studies), and 6% of respondents were graduate students. Potentiality for use of service Interest in using WTC potential service usage amongst first and second years provide insight to the future sustainability of the service: 72% of first year respondents and 57% of second year respondents said that they would access a WTC as a method of learning about gender related issues. 69% of first year respondents and 52% of second year respondents said that they would access a WTC for training about gender issues. 59% of first year respondents and 65% of second year respondents said that they would access a WTC for a safe space. 79% first year respondents and 80% of second year respondents said that they would use a WTC in crisis situations. Interest in using a WTC as a method of learning about opportunities/speakers/ workshops about gender related issues was high, with 87% of those identifying outside the binary, 65% of women, and 29% of men wishing to access this service. Interest in using a WTC to access training for gender issues on campus was also high, with 65% of women, 87% of those identifying outside the gender binary, and 45% of men wishing to access this service. Existing Services and Gender Of those respondents who identified outside the gender binary, 75% either do not use the QSCC or only access their services occasionally. While 87% of those who identify outside the gender binary are aware of the services offered by SHEC, 75% of these respondents never utilize said services.

QUALITATIVE SURVEY ANALYSIS

Using two questions from the Safety and Support Survey; the question inquiring into student action following a situation involving harassment and the question requesting further comments on the developing of a potential WTC, four major themes emerged. The summary of the themes are followed by quotes from the survey. Accessibility and Inclusion Within these themes was a focus on ensuring access to services was inclusive for all and making sure that students know what options are available to them. In order to promote accessibility and inclusion, many responses indicated that we should be working from an Anti-Oppressive framework when looking at a potential Centres mandates and also including the concerns trans* students had regarding the name and promotion of a potential Centre. A Women and Trans* Centre is inherently political. I would not support a centre that is trying to be "apolitical", in an effort to create a "safe space". The space needs to be safe for all types of oppressed people, which means that it will necessarily be political. Strongly wishing that it takes root; the fact that we have no dedicated support for transgender students and faculty is something we are mandated to fix in order to foster an equitable and understanding educational community. I switched out of a major because of racism. I have been assaulted several times on and around campus. I am a man. I think race and disability is something that the centre should keep in mind; I find feminist groups on campus to be inaccessible and I think that the centre should consider the intersection of different oppressions, not just gender. Education/Shifting Perspectives These themes came out in conversation around how to shift perspectives within McMaster University, as a microcosm of our society. Suggestions were made to increase the level of comfort in addressing harassment and derogatory language, reducing fear of students to seek services and support and shift perspectives from avoidance to acknowledgement of the state of safety on campus. Decreasing stigma and shifting negative perceptions of women and Trans* students seeking support was identified as important goals that could be achieved through educational and awareness campaigns. I think it is essential for university services to offer a space where continually marginalized and oppressed peoples can go for support, community, and education. Likewise, a Women's and Trans center would help publicize the womens/trans/queer struggle in a positive and enlightening manner for many uninformed individuals - hopefully combating the harmful and violent stereotypes that exist on campus and society at large. I get harassed a lot on campus by guys. It would be nice to have a place I could go and actually be treated as a human being, talk about issues of sexism on campus and ways to address them.

We must restructure the dominant ideologies in our society that implicitly reinforce rape and assault. For this, we need to have seminars and presentations for all students about these issues. I think advocacy/awareness would have to be an important aspect of a potential centre because increasing awareness of women's and trans* issues would make for a more accepting and knowledgeable community. Efficiency and Centralization of Services Many comments echoed a worry that the centralization of services for women and Trans* students may cause redundancy or inefficiency. The presentation of a systems and service analysis was suggested by students, in garnering their support of the centralization and creation of the services proposed. Also discussed were ideas around enhanced communication between all services and clubs involved in these types of services and developing unique ways to support students that do not overlap with services like SHEC and the QSCC. It would be better to merge the concepts into SHEC (which already offers counselling) and QSCC (which should, if it doesn't already, have training and speakers on gender issues). I am usually in more support of using what is already available, such as services that are already set up and available, such as SACHA, there is still a great difficulty in getting students to seek help through services off campus, as many feel uncomfortable leaving the familiar surroundings of the campus. I think that though the ideas presented as part of the Women's and Trans* centre are very valuable and imperative components of a safe and accepting campus for allThe centralization of services and resources on campus is IMPERATIVE to ensure there is no inefficiencies in how we provide our services Moving Forward... Moving forward, how can we take responsibility to alter our current climate around violence against women and trans* individuals and support to better suit the needs of all students on campus regardless of gender identity or presentation? Many ideas came out around this question with a strong focus on making sure that potential service users have a say in the development of programming. Listening to the voices of students, particularly marginalized groups, and learning what they need was seen as an important step in moving forward. A strong sentiment conveyed in many of the comments was one of moving the University forward. The creation of a WTC was seen as inextricably linked to progressing McMaster forward as an ally for women and trans* students, an active participant in the fight to eradicate violence against women on campuses and a supportive environment for all students. Why are we the only school without one? There was one on the campus where I did my undergrad and it was an amazing resource and a fun, welcoming, safe space to hang out--also it offered great volunteering experience and offered great opportunities to get involved on campus. There needs to be a safe space and there needs to be education. Things need to change. I fully support a safe space for trans-gender students and I believe it is critical to McMaster being a modern and competitive university.

Given President Deane's commitment to ending violence against women on campus, I can think of no better way to begin this commitment than the establishment of a centre which will both help victims of violence as well as advocate for the ending of violence against women.

ON GOING DISCUSSIONS
Name of the centre The name of the centre has come up several times as a point of discussion. Some individuals have raised concerns about the inclusivity of certain words in the title of the centre. Level of advocacy In most discussions about WTCs, the issue of advocacy is raised. The question of how much or how little political work such a service would do at McMaster is currently up in the air. Gaps to be filled Through consultations with various services and groups, the committee has been trying to pinpoint missing services which a WTC could offer. These issues and ideas are ongoing topics of discussion and will be looked at in more detail once operations policies are better established.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMMITTEE

To ensure sustainability and the appropriate continuation of the efforts made so far, these recommendations were put forward using feedback from students both on the committee and through survey responses. 1. It is recommended that work be put into solidifying a plan for a location. The locations costs (rent, hydro, cleaning staff and any other expenses) must be factored into any preliminary budget moving forward. 2. It is recommended that the WTC contact potential partners (such as SACHA) and discuss the extent of said partnership between the University and offcampus services in the creation of the Centre. 3. It is recommended that the WTC Committee move forward, upon gaining support from the SRA, by presenting this proposal to the Executive Board for further support. 4. It is recommended that the WTC Operating Plan be a living document until the creation of the Centre by the SRA, as to allow for as much flexible amendments to the policy. 5. It is recommended that the WTC consider the feedback presented by the Survey results and form a name for the Centre that reflects the needs and concerns of students. 6. It is recommended that the committee expand its voting membership to more MSU members.

GLOSSARY
Gender and Gender Identity: Separate from sex (the biologically determined, doctorassigned idea of male/female associated with a person at birth based on hormones/ anatomy/chromosomes), gender identity is the sense of yourself as male, female, a mix of the two or in between, or neither. This is determined by each persons individual ideas, thoughts, and sense of self. Cisgender: Applies to individuals whose gender identity matches up with their sex. For example, if at birth their doctor proclaimed them a girl, they continue to identify as female. Trans*: This is a term encompassing many different identities. Most commonly used to refer to people whose gender identities do not match up with their sex at birth. Can apply generally to transgender, transsexual, genderqueer, and intersex individuals, as well as others. The * importantly reflects the inclusion of many varying identities, not just those traditionally considered trans. Gender Binary: The medically accepted and socially entrenched concept of gender as exactly two opposite genders, male and female, with no intersection or possibility of identification between or around. Oppression: The injustice coming from a social system that is put in place by unequal control of power, wealth, influence, etc. by one social category of people against another. Safe space: A space where oppressed persons can speak frankly about the oppression they experience, where everyone is respected and no one is judged based on gender, ability, religion, race, background, etc. Sex positivity: An idea encouraging the healthy exploration of sexuality, sexual relationships and sex in general. A very strong emphasis on active consent, sexual health, and ability to make individual choices. Sexual Assault: Unwanted, coerced or forcible involvement in sexual activity including touching , various forms of sex, and others. Sexual Orientation: Not linked to sex or gender identity, sexual orientation is each persons tendency to be interested in romantic or sexual relationships with particular genders. Being straight means, if youre a man youre attracted to women and if youre a woman youre attracted to men. Gay refers to men attracted to men, lesbian refers to women attracted to women, bisexual refers to people attracted to both men and women, pansexual refers to people attracted to some or many genders. This is a very incomplete list.

For further questions, please contact: MSU Services Commissioner 12/13 sraservices@msu.mcmaster.ca

Elise Milani