Out On Campus (OOC) has been recognized for its outstanding impact on student health and well-being, earning the 2020 Champions for a Healthy Campus Community Award at Simon Fraser University (SFU).

As the university’s central hub for gender diversity and sexual identity, OOC has long been a safe space for LGBTQIA2S+ students, staff, and faculty. From peer support and advocacy to community-building events, OOC plays a vital role in making SFU a more inclusive and supportive place.

Ashley Brooks, OOC’s Coordinator, explained the importance of this work:

“Being queer and attending university can both be incredibly isolating. If you don’t feel safe, you can’t learn. University is often the first chance for students to live independently and discover who they are, which intersects deeply with queer identities and well-being.”

Through initiatives like open houses, speed friending, weekly events, and even a thriving Discord server launched in 2020, OOC has helped hundreds of students connect, find community, and feel safe to be their authentic selves. One student described their experience with OOC as “the best club experience I’ve had in the three post-secondary institutions I’ve attended.”

OOC’s influence extends beyond social programs. It has also led advocacy campaigns such as #WeJustNeedToPee, which highlighted the need for safe washroom access for trans and gender-diverse people on campus. The campaign resonated widely across SFU, sparking meaningful conversations about inclusivity.

Since its founding in 1972, OOC has thrived thanks to passionate student leaders, volunteers, and support from the SFSS and GSS. Its guiding principles—personal growth, advocacy, and building collaborative communities—continue to shape SFU into a healthier, more welcoming campus for LGBTQIA2S+ members and their allies.

Brooks summed it up best:

“Students can feel safe knowing they can come as they are, and their needs and boundaries will be honoured. That safety is incredibly valuable on a campus where students often feel the need to prove themselves. At OOC, every student is worthy of support.”

With this award, SFU formally recognizes what students already know: Out On Campus is not just a resource center, but a powerful community that helps people thrive.