Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Women's Centre?
The NUWC is a place where women and men can find information about equality-related facilities and events, and participate in events held thoughout the year to raise awareness of women's issues. For more information see the About Us section or drop into the centre (A244a)!
What services does the Women's Centre provide?
The NUWC offers a safe and positive space, a diverse resource library, unprejudiced peer support, referrals, and runs events and campaigns throughout the university and community at large which serves to promote equality, diversity and identity.
*A little heads up: some Executives and members have some experiences, training and particular knowledge which may be pertinent to others. You can always ask about it.*
The NUWC also offers free printing to students and access to a phone for free local calls.
How can I get involved?
Any of the following would be a great way to get informed, get involved, and/or meet new people:
Send us an e-mail at nuwomenscentre@hotmail and request to join our Mailing List. This way you'll receive all Meeting Minutes and updates.
Attend the weekly meetings.
Participate in the planning of events.
Become informed and make suggestions.
Volunteer for community supporters.
Drop into the center at any time.
Volunteer at one (or many) of our events.
Participate in one (or many) of our events.
Join us on Facebook at Nipissing University Women's Centre.
Send in articles, poetry, art work, etc. to the Our Voice Newsletter.
Share resources.
Tell us about any talents, training, experiences or connections you may be able to share with us.
Utilize the services provided by the W.C.
Promote awareness of human rights and social justice issues.
Where can I get more information?
Visit Contact Us or drop into the W.C. at anytime!
What is a feminist?
The definitions vary but the NUWC likes to define a feminist as anyone who believes in gender equality, diversity and acknowledges oppression as the source of inequality.
What is the need for a Women's Centre at Nipissing University if the student population is 80% female?
As much as we try to celebrate our society as being egalitarian in its treatment of men and women, the reality is that this does not happen often. As of current, our country's decision-making systems are developed and work under a patriarchal structure and, as Education falls under these systems, so does Nipissing University. Women are forced to deal with a myriad of different issues as a result of gender-based power imbalances. From offensive advertising to sexual harassment, women's needs are not met and nor are their interests served. (Which is where the NUWC comes in.) Just because you're on campus (with the majority of the student body being composed of females) doesn't mean you're detached from the overriding governing systems.
Doesn’t a Women’s Centre discriminate against men?
This particular Women's Centre believes in inclusiveness, not exclusivity, and we'd like you to join regardless of gender, race, class, age, etc. Most often (ALWAYS in the past), upper and middle class white men create(d) the rules that govern the entire population. Is this not sexist? even classist? If we, as a society, are to have equality, we need to challenge accepted patriarchal understandings of how 'things need to work'. Now, some WC's are women-only spaces and for their own reasons. However, this is not our mandate. The NUWC recognizes that many 'men' recognize gender inequality and support women's endeavours.
Where is the Men's Centre?
The male population of Nipissing University has not yet established a Men's Centre. But, when and if they do, the NUWC will gladly help them in any way we can. One day, when everyone is truly treated equally in our society it won't be necessary to have a WC or a MC. Until then...
The NUWC is a place where women and men can find information about equality-related facilities and events, and participate in events held thoughout the year to raise awareness of women's issues. For more information see the About Us section or drop into the centre (A244a)!
What services does the Women's Centre provide?
The NUWC offers a safe and positive space, a diverse resource library, unprejudiced peer support, referrals, and runs events and campaigns throughout the university and community at large which serves to promote equality, diversity and identity.
*A little heads up: some Executives and members have some experiences, training and particular knowledge which may be pertinent to others. You can always ask about it.*
The NUWC also offers free printing to students and access to a phone for free local calls.
How can I get involved?
Any of the following would be a great way to get informed, get involved, and/or meet new people:
Send us an e-mail at nuwomenscentre@hotmail and request to join our Mailing List. This way you'll receive all Meeting Minutes and updates.
Attend the weekly meetings.
Participate in the planning of events.
Become informed and make suggestions.
Volunteer for community supporters.
Drop into the center at any time.
Volunteer at one (or many) of our events.
Participate in one (or many) of our events.
Join us on Facebook at Nipissing University Women's Centre.
Send in articles, poetry, art work, etc. to the Our Voice Newsletter.
Share resources.
Tell us about any talents, training, experiences or connections you may be able to share with us.
Utilize the services provided by the W.C.
Promote awareness of human rights and social justice issues.
Where can I get more information?
Visit Contact Us or drop into the W.C. at anytime!
What is a feminist?
The definitions vary but the NUWC likes to define a feminist as anyone who believes in gender equality, diversity and acknowledges oppression as the source of inequality.
What is the need for a Women's Centre at Nipissing University if the student population is 80% female?
As much as we try to celebrate our society as being egalitarian in its treatment of men and women, the reality is that this does not happen often. As of current, our country's decision-making systems are developed and work under a patriarchal structure and, as Education falls under these systems, so does Nipissing University. Women are forced to deal with a myriad of different issues as a result of gender-based power imbalances. From offensive advertising to sexual harassment, women's needs are not met and nor are their interests served. (Which is where the NUWC comes in.) Just because you're on campus (with the majority of the student body being composed of females) doesn't mean you're detached from the overriding governing systems.
Doesn’t a Women’s Centre discriminate against men?
This particular Women's Centre believes in inclusiveness, not exclusivity, and we'd like you to join regardless of gender, race, class, age, etc. Most often (ALWAYS in the past), upper and middle class white men create(d) the rules that govern the entire population. Is this not sexist? even classist? If we, as a society, are to have equality, we need to challenge accepted patriarchal understandings of how 'things need to work'. Now, some WC's are women-only spaces and for their own reasons. However, this is not our mandate. The NUWC recognizes that many 'men' recognize gender inequality and support women's endeavours.
Where is the Men's Centre?
The male population of Nipissing University has not yet established a Men's Centre. But, when and if they do, the NUWC will gladly help them in any way we can. One day, when everyone is truly treated equally in our society it won't be necessary to have a WC or a MC. Until then...