A new program supporting the research of women-related and gender-related issues opens its doors to campus and the community today. Religion professor Claudia Camp said she thinks the Institute on Women and Gender will be an asset to the university.

“I think (the institute) will benefit TCU in terms of national recognition,” Camp said. “It creates a structure where students and faculty can work together to do research.”

The institute will be comprised of students, faculty, staff and the community, and will include all seven colleges and the Brite Divinity School, according to a press release.

Director Joanne Green said the opening reception will be an informational gathering.

She said issues, such as domestic violence and eating disorders, will be discussed and analyzed from several perspectives, such as political, economical and religious.

Green was the director of the Women’s Studies Program for three years and taught at TCU for six years.

Associate Director Marcy Paul said the program will promote research in the TCU community.

“The institute provides small grants to students, faculty and staff to do research,” Paul said.

City organizations, including Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Planned Parenthood and Safe Haven, are attending the Institute’s opening, Paul said.

About 100 reservations have already been made.

“The support is unreal,” Paul said.