This semester, the University of Houston closed its Women and Gender Resource Center and replaced it with the new “Cougar Parent and Family Engagement Office,” according to a report from The Cougar.
A university spokesperson told The Cougar that no services offered by the Women and Gender Resource Center have been eliminated. Instead, Title IX confidential advocacy, sexual misconduct services, and sexual violence prevention education will continue under the Dean of Students Office. Programs dedicated to supporting student parents and families will be housed in the new Cougar Parent and Family Engagement Office.
“The goal is to bring greater visibility and coordination to services and improve access and outcomes for students facing additional challenges outside the classroom,” said the spokesperson.
Notably, university administrators say the reorganization of the Women and Gender Resource Center has been in development for the past five years and is not connected to Texas’ Senate Bill 17, which prohibits diversity, equity, and inclusion activities at public higher education institutions.