BYU’s Women’s Services and Resources held its semester open house on Jan. 17 and provided brownies, manicures, hair styling and chair massages while informing students about this semester’s events.
Although it’s catered to women, Women’s Services and Resources welcomes all students, men and women, to its office.
LaNae Valentine, director of Women’s Services and Resources, said they have an open house every semester so students will know where the office is located and what services they offer. They want students to feel welcome to stop by for any reason.
“Women’s Services is a place that anyone can come anytime, with any kind of issue,” Valentine said. “Don’t feel like ‘Oh, I don’t know if it’s appropriate to come here,’ because we will either help you resolve that issue, or we will help you find the appropriate place on campus or in the community that will help you resolve that issue.”
Hair styling and manicures were provided by the Renaissance Academie. Erika Blanchard, an instructor from the Academie, said the open house is their favorite event because they enjoy helping the students feel good.
“Since we’ve been here and the girls are curling their hair, the (students say) ‘Oh my gosh, I look so good,’ and you can tell they feel good about themselves,” Baxter said.
Adrienne Villondo, a pre-nursing freshman from New Jersey, had fun getting her hair and nails done during the event.
“It’s like a free day at the spa,” Villondo said. “There’s a good vibe in the air. Everybody just wants to talk and have fun.”
The WSR will be hosting events throughout the semester. Events include: Dating Conference on Jan. 31, Love Your Body Week Feb. 11–16, Education Conference on Mar. 8, and a White Tie Ball on Mar. 16.
Women’s Services and Resources has two continuing campaigns. “Voices of Courage” states their mission as engaging “men and women as allies in creating a culture of respect and non-violence.” “Recapturing Beauty” is the other ongoing campaign with a mission to “reshape our ideas and attitudes about beauty away from those promoted in our popular culture.”
Carly LeBaron, a grad student intern in the marriage and family therapy program, encourages anyone who needs to talk to stop by the office.
“Take the step to walk through the door, because once people come in they usually come back,” LeBaron said. “Not just women, men too. We’re definitely passionate about people, and that’s our favorite part of our jobs, getting to interact with people. So come in, come talk to us.”
Women’s Services and Resources is located at 3326 in the Wilkinson Student Center, and the website is wsr.byu.edu.
