The Margaret Sloss Center for Women and Gender Equity continues to provide a safe space for students and a hub for resources and activities on campus, according to Jehan Faisal, assistant director of the Sloss Center.

Faisal said the programs and initiatives offered do two important things: the acknowledgment of the challenging work students are engaging in and the fostering of success in the community.

“Relationship building, creativity and healing, and resource sharing are all key to helping all students succeed at Iowa State and beyond,” Faisal said.

Faisal said working with students at the Sloss Center is surprising, meaningful and invigorating, especially as students balance rigorous academic work with every other aspect of their lives. Faisal added that sometimes this includes parenting or pregnancy, financial insecurity or relationship challenges.

“A student may be learning how to manage monthly bills, navigate roommate dynamics or discovering more about themselves and who they are in the world,” Faisal said. “Every day at Sloss, I see courage, creativity and determination in the students.”

Students are encouraged to stop by the Sloss Center, located between Curtiss and Gerdin, any time between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Crafts and activities are offered every Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“Help yourself to a popsicle in the freezer, come make some art at the worktable, hang out or study,” Faisal said. “If you are caregiving and have a child with you on campus, come build with blocks or read a great picture book together in our children’s play area.”

The Sloss House also has a full-service kitchen for anyone coming from off-campus and needing a place to store or heat their lunch between classes.

The Resource Room, Iowa State’s student-run food pantry, was added to the Sloss House this spring. In addition to food, the Resource Room has personal care items, books and parenting supplies, which are free to anyone.

“Everything in the Sloss Resource Room is sourced through donations, this is one of the ways we help one another at Iowa State,” Faisal said.

Staff at the Sloss Center can meet with students individually and connect them with campus resources to provide a safe space to talk.

“If you’re feeling overwhelmed about any topic and not sure where to reach out, please email [email protected] to set up a time to meet,” Faisal said.

To learn more about programs and activities at the Margaret Sloss Center for Women and Gender Equity, visit their Instagram and website.