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Jake Blecha, left, and John Fox talk with friends before the start of the University of Colorado Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Resource Center's 10th Anniversary Celebration in 2005. In a 12-0-1 decision, the University of Colorado's Legislative Council voted to officially support the Center as an official CU cost center.

In a 12-0-1 decision, the University of Colorado's Legislative Council voted to officially support CU's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center as an official University of Colorado cost center.

"I'm really excited. This is something we've been working on for a long time," said GLBT Director Steph Wilenchek. "It's going to benefit students throughout the entire campus as we move forward in continuing to create a safer space on campus."

The Legislative Council vote also established an annual budget of $62,066 in student fees to be used to support the new cost center. Contributions will begin at the onset of the new fiscal year in July. With the additional support GLBT receives from private fundraising and from the offices of the CU provost and the vice chancellor for student affairs, the center will now have a total annual budget of more than $160,000.

"This will be a huge step forward for UCSU," said Dustin Farivar, a UCSU tri-executive who co-wrote the bill. "It's a chance to invest in people and in progress, and it's an opportunity to expand our reach across campus."

In a large showing of public support regarding the bill's approval, more than 20 people, ranging from both gay and straight students to faculty and administration, sat through the two-hour hearing and stood to applaud at the final decision. A handful of them also spoke on behalf of the organization, many describing it as an "invaluable resource" and "a safe space on campus" during a period of the meeting which allowed public input.

"I can only imagine how much additional positive impact the GLBTRC could have on campus should there be more staff dedicated specifically to GLBT issues," said Andee Coco, a recent CU Grad and current GLBT administrative assistant aid, in one such address to the Council.

As a cost center, the 13-year-old organization can now afford to staff an additional paid student staff position and a salaried Assistant Director position. These developments will allow Wilenchek to spend less time searching for private funding and more time in serving CU students through GLBT programs, outreach, and education.

"I support what the group does as one of the most important organizations on campus. The issue is that more and more things that should be funded through tuition are having to go through the UCSU instead," said Paul Lichty, a graduate school senator whose abstention marked the only Legislative Council member who did not vote in favor of the bill. "I think this is something the university needs to provide. When it comes to student safety, it should be one of the administration's highest priorities."