The University was recently credited as having one of the top 19 college campuses nationwide in terms of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT)-friendliness and acceptance.
Campus Pride, a national non-profit organization committed to creating safer and more inclusive college campuses, released its 2010 LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index last Tuesday, commending the University along with 18 other schools across the country, ranking it five out of five stars in criteria like LGBT housing, safety and student and academic life. The study was based on information collected from more than 6,000 self-identified gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students and staff members from the 230 participating schools.
Oregon State University was the only other northwest college to earn a five-star ranking, grouped with Midwest and East Coast schools like Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, Ohio State University and Washington University in St. Louis. Out of the Pac-10, UCLA, California and USC also made the index. Southern Oregon University and Willamette University received 4.5 stars, followed closely by Lewis and Clark College with four stars and Eastern Oregon University with 2.5.
Student affairs officials on campus believe the high ranking comes in the wake of ongoing efforts to support LGBT inclusion and awareness through campus activities such as the Day of Silence, drag shows, and Coming Out Week.
“Any time we can be acknowledged for the hard work we have done; it really feels like a reward,” Director of LGBT Educational and Support Services Chicora Martin said. “It is nice to be recognized for the high level of support we offer LGBT students.”
Martin believes that if the University continues to top gay-friendly campus lists, it will attract a greater number of prospective LGBT students looking for schools acceptant of and catering to their specific sexual orientations.
“I hope more LGBT students will come to the UO because of this,” Martin said. “If they feel like they have a support system here, that’s a big part of being comfortable.”
The Index has been collecting data since 2001 when Shane Windmeyer, Campus Pride’s executive director, created the index as a tool for assisting college campuses in improving LGBT students’ campus lifestyles and the educational experiences.
“The rising number of campuses across the nation willing to stand up and speak out for their LGBT students is a testament to the growing recognition that educational environments should be safe and inclusive of all people …” Windmeyer said on the Campus Climate Index Web site. “Although not all schools earn a five-star ranking, their voluntary presence and participation in the index shows they are committed to ‘coming out’ for their students.”
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