More than 300 Iowa State students, faculty and staff stopped by the Margaret Sloss Women’s Center to grab a free burger Monday and, as the center’s staff hopes, to become aware of feminist issues that affect both men and women.

“Sensitive Men Flipping Burgers” was the theme surrounding the center’s annual open house, which was held Monday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Various male ISU officials took turns manning the grill.

Some of the guest chefs included basketball coaches Bill Fennelly and Larry Eustachy, African-American Studies Director Herman Blake, Minority Affairs Director Rafael Rodriguez, Associate Dean of Students Houston Dougharty and Assistant Athletics Director Elve Everage.

Eustachy was working at the grill shortly after noon. He joked that “you would probably have to ask my wife” about what makes him a “sensitive man.”

In earnest, Eustachy said he was happy to lend help to the women’s center.

“The women’s center serves a great purpose, and any support I can lend … I would love to do,” he said.

The open house also was the unveiling of the new men’s program at the Sloss House. The men’s programs are expected to cover issues ranging from date rape to homophobia.

David White, coordinator of the men’s outreach programs, said he hopes the new men’s program generates intelligent dialogue among male ISU students. He also said he hopes leaders of residence halls and fraternities invite facilitators to present programs on feminist issues.

“These are not women’s issues — they are human issues,” White said, in reference to topics such as date rape and sexual assault. “Men are the ones who cause these problems, and men are the ones who are going to solve them.”

Because he is graduating in May, White is anxious to train new facilitators to present programs at the Sloss House. He is currently the only male facilitator.

Alissa Stoehr, programmer for Women’s Week and center activist, said the event brought out “a lot of really interested people.”

“I’m glad people took the time to see what we have to offer,” Stoehr said.

Stoehr said the new men’s program will target men in a way that will make them aware instead of defensive.

Stoehr emphasized that the programs are not “male-bashing,” and that both genders need to work together to eliminate sexual assault, domestic violence and sexual harassment.

Stoehr said the inclusion of some “celebrity” guest chefs might ease the apprehension some may have about the women’s center and women’s issues.

“They can look at people like Coach Fennelly and say, ‘Hey, Coach Fennelly supports our programs,'” she said.

Pamela Thomas, director of the women’s center, also said she was pleased with the crowds who lunched on “sensitive men” burgers.

“Hopefully, [the cook-out] … raises awareness to the program,” she said.

The cook-out was free because all the food was donated. The sponsors include Sam’s Club, Fareway, Cub Foods, Hy Vee, Do-Biz, Old Dutch Chips and McDonalds.