An Area of

Exclusion
Chuck Franco
 If you have a one size fits all and expect everyone
to be able to do the same thing, and talk to them in
the same language and not think about different
peoples needs then some people are going to find
that a struggle.

Not all learning takes place inside the classroom.

 The Importance of Health
Services
Decades ago most colleges and universities believed their only
responsibility for student health was to set up a clinic to treat the
sick and injured. Today, driven by a broader and, in our judgment,
better understanding of health and its impact on learning, many
institutions of higher education provide much more.
Young adults are at a critical juncture in development. As they
learn to manage their own health and health care with less
parental oversight, they are forming habits that will affect well-
being, learning, and personal and career fulfillment over a
lifetime. Thats why many college health centers are actively
engaged in fighting the use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs
and promoting good nutrition, sleep, and exercise.
- David Skorton and Glenn Altschuler, Forbes Magainze 2013
 Issue at Hand

Transgender students are not utilizing the rec center

Could be caused by lack of accommodations for transgender
students
Could be caused by a stigma
Heteronormativity creates a stigma that if something (whether that be an
action or an identity) is not hetero, it is not normal

Research shows that students who live a healthy lifestyle

typically have a higher GPA
Transgender students do not feel comfortable using the rec
center
Importance of Fostering an
Inclusive Environment
Fosters a sense of community
Allows everyone to be themselves and feel
comfortable
All students are given the opportunity to utilize
resources
All students benefit in the long run
Purpose

Determine the factors that prevent transgender

students from utilizing the rec center
Assess what can be done to attract them to this
campus resource
Assessment Method

The assessment team (consisting of the head of

health services, an academic advisor, and the head
of the gender & sexuality resource center) will work
with the GSRC to reach out to students who identify
as transgender
Students will be contacted via email
The students will be invited to a qualitative focus
group to help gather information on what differs
these students from the rec center
Students will be guaranteed that this will be a
private discussion, and that their answers will remain
anonymous once they have left the focus group
 Questionnaire
How long have you been a student at NIU?
Have you ever utilized the student rec center on campus?
If so, when was the last time you used this resource?
Have you ever visited a different rec center/gym?
Are there any areas of the rec center that you feel comfortable
using? What makes these a positive area?
Are there any areas of the rec center that you do not feel
comfortable using? What makes these a negative area?
Do you feel that the rec center is a safe space for you on campus?
What accommodations (such as group fitness classes or a private
changing area) can be made to attract you to the rec center?
 Analysis & Reporting Out

The students responses will be documented and assessed

with the assessment team
Once all focus groups have been conducted, the results of
the study will be given to the head of Campus Recreation
Based off of the findings, the head of Campus Recreation
may want to consult with the assessment team for
recommendations for further action