IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 3, 2007
CONTACT: Gordon Ovenshine:

Office: 724.738.4854

                                      Cell: 724.991.8302

                    gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu

SRU Women's Center hires director, outlines new programs

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Women's Center at Slippery Rock University is a place where women gather for lively discussion and advocacy. Always active, this fall it promises to be especially busy under its first full-time director Jodi Solito.

            The center is expanding leadership opportunities for students and introducing new programs. They include a breast cancer awareness month and walk, a love your body campaign, an examination of women's contributions to the U.S. Constitution, a student survey and the launch of a Web site.  The center, located in the lower level of Strain Behavioral Science Building, also has new print and DVD resources available.

            "We want to increase visibility and awareness of the center," said Solito, SRU'S former coordinator of health promotion. "There is a misconception that we are a 'crisis center' when in fact our role is promoting gender equality and empowering women students, staff and faculty through advocacy and leadership development. We want more students, including men, to get involved."

            The center plans to distribute a 10-question survey to students asking them about other new programs the center could offer students.

            "We all want to be working toward a common goal," she said. "We want a better idea of the needs of our students and their perception of us."

            Students involved with the center will participate in the Oct. 25-26 Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Women's Consortium Conference at Bloomsburg University and   the Pennsylvania Governor's Conference for Women Nov. 8 in Philadelphia.

            On-campus events will include:

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            Sept. 17: Constitution Day 

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            Oct. 18: Love Your Body Day

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            October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month 

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            Oct. 1: Showing of the movie "Rachel's Daughter" about a cancer survivor

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            Oct. 22-25: Dating Violence Awareness Week

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            Oct. 23: "In the Pink: Stride for the Cure" breast cancer awareness walk

            For more information, call the center at 724.738.2992.

Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania's premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.