Students

The Green Zone program “train[s] members of the Carolina community to know more about the issues and concerns faced by military affiliated students and to identify individuals who are available to assist this population.”

The HAVEN Program (Helping Advocates for Violence Ending Now) “is intended to provide students, faculty or staff with tools and skills to be an ally to someone who has experienced sexual or interpersonal (relationship) violence or stalking.”

Rethink: Psychiatric Illness teaches the basics about mental illness and the statistics and prevalence of mental illnesses in our state and on our campus, debunks myths, and familiarizes participants with the resources available on campus

Safe Zone aims to “create a network of allies that people can talk to about sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.”

Embody Carolina is an organization dedicated to preparing students to serve as compassionate and effective allies to those struggling with eating disorders.

There is currently no parental leave policy for undergraduate parents, but undergraduate parents may be eligible for (though not required to take) medical leaves or underloads. Graduate and professional students considering medical leave or underload should consult with their admitting office.

Policy on Pregnant and Parenting Students and Applicants:

• Applies to all full- or part-time undergraduate, graduate, and professional students and applicants to any of these programs.
• Prohibits “discrimination or harassment based on sex or gender related to a Student or Applicant’s actual or potential parental status.”
• Includes associated procedures for seeking accommodations, which are initiated by contacting Elizabeth Hall, Assistant Director, Equal Opportunity and Compliance Office (919.962.7185; cehall@email.unc.edu).

Graduate Students Parental Leave Policy:

• Eligible students (full-time, stipend-supported) are entitled to six weeks paid leave. (There is no provision for complicated births.)
• Both parents, if they are grad students with UNC, may take leave, either simultaneously or sequentially.
• Student must notify department advisor and/or chair at least 8 weeks in advance of leave.
• Students maintain continuous enrollment during leave (e.g., ongoing library access, health benefits, student debt suspension).
• The policy automatically allows a one academic semester extension for all academic responsibilities and time to degree.
• The Graduate Student Parental Leave Policy establishes minimum standards; departments and schools are encouraged to more flexible where feasible.
• Graduate School Policy: Full-time students who are not stipend-supported can request leave without tuition or stipend support.

Professional students:

• Policies are set by individual programs and departments.

Postdoctoral students:

• Six weeks of paid parental leave to care for a new biological, adopted, or foster child.
• This leave includes exhausting all available vacation (12 days) and sick (12 days) leave. Formally, mentors must approve leave.
• Paid parental leave must be taken within one year of the birth or placement of the child.
• May be eligible for FMLA-defined leave if they meet the eligibility requirements under the exceptions section of the eligible employees section of the Family and Medical Leave Policy.
• Postdocs should also check their funding agency to determine whether the funder imposes any restrictions on leave.

For all student organizations, see the list here. Descriptions are drawn from organization websites.

Active Minds at Carolina is a service and advocacy organization dedicated to raising awareness for and combating stigma against mental health

Carolina Advocating for Gender Equality (CAGE) is a committee under the Campus Y that aims to raise awareness about gender-based violence and discrimination through activism and progressive discussion with members of the Carolina Community.

Carolina BEBES “provide[s] an opportunity for interested students to learn more about breastfeeding and to advocate for supportive breastfeeding practices on campus, locally, nationally and globally.”

Carolina Feminist Coalition (CFC) is a progressive feminist organization which affirms that no form of oppression can be overcome until all aspects of racism, classism, sexism, and heterosexism are dismantled.

Carolina Women in Business (CWIB) provides the women of UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School with opportunities for career and community development and networking opportunities in preparation for their post-MBA journeys.

The Conference on Race, Class, Gender and Ethnicity (CRCGE) is a student organization affiliated with the UNC School of Law … designed as an academic forum in which recent political and legal developments could be examined through a social justice perspective.

Diversity and Inclusiveness in Collegiate Environments (DICE) aims “to create greater diversity awareness and programming inclusiveness for students at UNC, which will allow for a deeper level of consciousness and thinking around diversity, privilege, equity, and other factors.

Feminist Students United (FSU) is a progressive feminist organization which affirms that no form of oppression can be overcome until all aspects of racism, classism, sexism, and heterosexism are dismantled.

Law Students Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (LSASDV) s a university-recognized student organization at the UNC School of Law that provides free legal representation to victims of domestic violence who are seeking a civil domestic violence protective order.

LGBTQ Center “works to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for UNC-Chapel Hill community members of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.”

Natural Girls Discuss Natural Curls aims to create a positive and safe environment that enables women of color to discuss a variety of topics such as hair, health, beauty and female empowerment.

The Organization for Africans’ Interests in Solidarity (OASIS) is a campus group dedicated to spreading awareness of African culture and strives to advocate for change through addressing social issues in the spirit of unity.

Parents as Law Students strives to support students faced with the dual pressures of law school and parenthood.

UNC Student Parent Association (SPA) provides resources, support, avenues for advocacy and social networking opportunities to all pregnant and parenting UNC students, postdoctoral fellows and medical residents.

Project Dinah is an initiative that seeks to end sexual assault and interpersonal violence on campus and in the community through empowerment, education, and advocacy.

Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) strives to connect, inform, and advance LGBTIQ-individuals and their allies.

Stigma Free Carolina is a UNC community campaign aimed at reducing stigma toward mental health concerns and treatment.

Students United for Reproductive Justice (SURJ) exists to educate, engage, and empower the UNC-CH community about reproductive health and rights.

The Siren is a student-produced publication of UNC-Chapel Hill that promotes a feminist perspective on issues surrounding gender, identity, sexuality and human rights.

VDay Carolina is global activist movement to end violence against women and girls.

Women’s Health Services (through Campus Health)

The Orange County Rape Crisis Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit agency that provides 24-hour crisis intervention services to survivors of sexual violence. There are opportunities to volunteer in a range of roles.

The Compass Center for Women and Families “offers services to adults and children who are experiencing emotional, physical or sexual abuse in their personal relationships.” It provides services and support to people of all gender identities and expressions.