LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index Shapes the Future of Higher Education
LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index Shapes the Future of Higher EducationOver the last five years, I have had a truly amazing experience. Not only did I get the opportunity to work with professional colleagues who are truly phenomenal -- but together we also gave birth to an innovative new tool called the LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index (www.campusclimateindex.org). The Index is the only online
tool of its kind for assisting campuses in learning ways to improve their LGBT
campus life and for prospective college students to find LGBT-Friendly campuses.
Every college student has the right to a safe learning environment where they can learn, grow and succeed -- regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. Today many campuses are looking for ways to become safer, more LGBT-Friendly. And the Q Generation (out LGBT youth) needs this information to find the best campuses who actively recognize and celebrate LGBT students. Already, in less than two months, we have over 120+ campuses taking the assessment tool and participating on the Index. The response rate and interest continues to grow as we work with administrators to accurately assess their LGBT programs, policies and practices. Thank you for all those who are sharing this resource through press, bulletins, blogs, etc. There is no doubt the Index has already had an impact and will ultimately shape the educational experience to be more inclusive, welcoming and respectful of LGBT and Ally people.
Check it out the LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index online at www.campusclimateindex.org. Also share the press release below with others.
Think. Act. Enjoy!
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LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index Sets National Standard
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New Online Tool Measures Progress and Highlights Gay-Friendliness
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CHARLOTTE - Now is the time for colleges and universities to reach out to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students. This week, Campus Pride launched the LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index (www.campusclimateindex.org ), the only online resource of its kind that assists colleges and universities in learning ways to make the educational experience more inclusive, welcoming and respectful of LGBT and Ally people. "Many campuses want to be more LGBT-friendly and welcoming to all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and the index is an essential tool for those efforts," stated Shane Windmeyer, Executive Director of Campus Pride and author of The Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students . "By highlighting positive LGBT efforts, we can advocate more effectively for LGBT and Ally progress across campuses nationwide." To date, nearly one hundred public and private four- year campuses are listed online, and nearly twice that have committed to an assessment in the near future. In development since 2001, the LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index was created in response to the increasing demand for tools and resources to support campuses in assessing LGBT-Friendly programs, policies and practices. The index was developed by Campus Pride with a team of national LGBT researchers, including: Brett Genny Beemyn, Ph.D.; Susan R. Rankin, Ph.D.; and Shane L. Windmeyer, M.S, Ed. Every campus listed online has participated in a comprehensive self-assessment process based on more than 50 questions under eight different LGBT-friendly categories. Each institution participating in the voluntary program receives a confidential report with results and recommendations to improve the quality of campus life for LGBT & Ally people. "Not only do campuses now have a way to measure their LGBT-Friendly progress, but prospective LGBT & Ally students and their families have a reliable and free public resource to help find the schools that are the most committed to providing a respectful learning environment," said Windmeyer. Campus Pride encourages all colleges and universities nationwide to be listed online. The index boasts a Premier Campus Spotlight as well as an Honor Roll that highlights campuses scoring a three-star rating or above. Each participating campus has a public profile available for viewing, and the My Bookbag feature allows visitors to choose an unlimited number of campus favorites to compare and request additional information. In coordination with the LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index, Campus Pride will host LGBT- Friendly college admission fairs this Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 on the east and west coasts. For more information, please visit Campus Pride ( www.campuspride.org ) or contact the organization at info@campuspride.org or 704-277-6710. # # # |
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Believe In -- Campus Pride. Campus Pride is the leading national nonprofit organization 501(c)(3) for student leaders and campus organizations working to create safer, more LGBT-friendly colleges and universities. It exists to give "voice and action" in building future LGBT and ally leaders. |
