SEHS SOGI Initiative - Oakland University

SOGI Initiative

The goals of the SOGI Initiative are to provide a safe and welcoming space, to create a more supportive and inclusive campus climate that encourages the success of all students, staff, faculty and administrators regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation, to increase awareness of the realities that face gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex (GLBTQQI) people, and to advocate for the larger GLBTQQI community.

The purpose of this organization is to provide supportive, educational, outreach, and community events, activities, and networking opportunities for students, staff, faculty, administrators, and visitors in the School of Education and Human Services who identify as GLBTQQI, and allies.

The acronym in the title of this initiative, SOGI (soh’-jee), was chosen specifically because it is an all-inclusive term. All people have a sexual orientation towards others, as well as a sense of self that rests somewhere along a continuum of feminine to masculine, even if either – or both – may shift at different times in life. If we are to enact positive change toward equality and social justice, we must understand that SOGI issues are not about them; SOGI issues are about us – the students, educators and civic leaders who care for all who come into our schools, businesses and communities, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. SOGI issues are not theirs; SOGI issues are ours.

Campus Resources

Gender and Sexuality Center

The Gender and Sexuality Center (GSC) is Oakland University's women's resource center and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, questioning and allied (LGBTIQQA) resource center. The GSC is dedicated to providing services and education on issues of gender and sexuality for the Oakland University community through resources, referrals, programs and advocacy. It strives to strengthen and sustain an inclusive campus community that supports and welcomes people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. The GSC is located in the lower level of the Oakland Center next to the CSA service window.

Graham Health Center

Graham Health Center provides convenient, affordable, high quality health care right on campus. We are staffed by certified Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants who have extensive education and clinical training. A physician visits weekly to review cases, consult, and see patients who require physician care.

LGBTQIA Employee Resource Group

The LGBTQIA ERG Mission is to foster an inclusive, open campus community, and to advance equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex and allied people. By supporting diversity and inclusion visibility & initiatives we also support the diversity and full inclusion and achievements of our student body.

OU Counseling Center

The Oakland University Counseling Center, located in the Graham Health Center has been serving the students and staff of the university for over 30 years. We provide a broad range of mental health services which include:

Personal Counseling
Psychological and Psychoeducational Testing
Career Testing and Counseling
Substance Abuse Evaluation, Treatment, and Prevention
Consultation and Outreach
Crisis Intervention

Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives

Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives serves as a resource and is charged with promoting and furthering the university's commitment to the principles of diversity inclusion and equal opportunity. The Oakland University Board of Trustees has made an unwavering commitment to equality of opportunity for all persons. In a society that relies on an informed, educated citizenry, no one should be denied the opportunity to attain his or her fullest potential. Therefore, the university has established a goal to build a community that welcomes and honors all persons and provides equal opportunity in education and employment consistent with all applicable laws.