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The LGBT Campus Center was formed by Alnisa Allgood, named first director and founder of the center.
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Paperwork for the LGBT Campus Center was completed in the Fall of 1991 and the application was submitted.
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Funding was approved by SUFAC and the campus center was opened slightly off campus at the Capital Center Complex in the summer of 1992.
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In 1993, the LGBT Campus Center had a very successful first year of operations. They launched the Crossing Boundaries program, formed the LGBT Lending Library and began work with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
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Throughout 1994, professors began to approach the center directly for curriculum assistance. In addition, the campus community found more space and they were able to expand the library, add TVs, radios, meeting tables and couches, forming a perfect meeting and study space. Also, at this time the campus center began providing services to other UW students over the phone. Most importantly, the center use grew from a couple days a week to daily activities and even weekend use.
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In 1995, the LGBT Campus Center moved to 306 North Brooks Street inside the Community Housing and Services building. Also, throughout this year there were two changes in the director position as students were graduating and moving on with their careers.
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1996 represented a year of searching for more space for the LGBT Campus Center. Their goal was to obtain space inside Memorial Union after the Multicultural Center moved elsewhere.
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In 1997 the center was informed that the Community Housing and Services building would be terminating their lease to allow for a different group closer to their mission to take the LGBT Campus Center's place. From there, the campus center moved to 406 West Gilman Street, above Cornbloom's Shoe Store.
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As space was always an issue for the LGBT Campus Center, they finally were approved for space at Memorial Union in the fall of 1998. This year represented a lot of change for the center, updating their computer and getting new furniture for the office. In addition, at this time began discussion with the Dean of Students office to explore becoming part of their organization. Compared to other student organizations, the LGBT Campus Center had steady and moderate budget growth.
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Throughout 1999, the campus center began to settle into their new home at Memorial Union and formed new programs and goals. The ideals of diversity and inclusiveness were new mandates from students and the Board of Directors. Also, put into effect were programs such as National Coming Out week in the fall and Out & About week in the spring where they brought speakers to campus, along with premiere films and performers.
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The LGBT Campus Center gains recognition from the Dean of Students Office after attempting to participate in "Shadow Day". This day represented a time when LGBT students and colored students could shadow a UW student for the day to understand what the campus life was like. However, certain university officials didn't like that LGBT students were included in this and cancelled the event. After protests and sit-ins by the center, the DoS forced administration to back down.
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At the end of 2002, there was a realization that there was a need for a full time professional Dean of Students staff position to be the director of the center.
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In August 2003 the first professional director was hired to work in collaboration with a student director on student affairs.
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In early 2005, administration and new Dean of Students attempted to make the LGBT Campus Center part of the Multicultural Student Center and that would have placed the budget in the hands of the MSC. Eventually with extra work the students and faculty were able to fight to have this repealed.
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In September of 2005 the campus center was able to hire a second full time staff member that worked as the Student Support Specialist.
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In 2006, the Library Services Council authorized the LGBT Campus Center as an official library on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. Students could now use this library just like any other library and rent out the materials.
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In 2011, the LGBT Campus Center gained a third full time academic staff member and they were given the opportunity to move to the newly constructed space inside of the Red Gym.
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Today, the LGBT Campus Center has become a large party of the lives of LGBT students and offers various resources to these individuals. Their goals remain to create a safe and inclusive environment for these students, advocate for the needs of LGBT students and to empower the LGBT community through leadership development. Their work will continue to help LGBT students now and create a much safer environment for future students at UW-Madison.
