When it comes to the overall institutional campus climate score for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville made the honor roll.
SIUE’s LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index rose to 4.5 out of 5 stars.
“SIUE continues to strive for excellence and to create a diverse and inclusive campus community and this is evident by our continuous improvement in ensuring an LGBT friendly campus,” said Dr. Venessa Brown, associate provost for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion. “While we have made progress, our goal is to continue to improve our multicultural programming and Safe Zone activities which allow us to live out our values of citizenship and inclusion. SIUE is a welcoming and respectful campus community for everyone.”
The University was ranked with more than 400 campuses across the country, using the LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index. The Index is a “national assessment tool for assisting campuses in improving the environment for people on campus who are LGBT and ultimately shapes the educational experience to be more inclusive, welcoming and respectful of LGBT and Ally people.”
SIUE submitted information to the national assessment tool in 2012. The University’s overall score was 3 out of 5 stars in 2012 and 4 out of 5 stars in 2013.
“Due to your overall rating of 4.5 stars, it is evident that your campus has already made a significant commitment to LGBT and Ally people on campus,” according to the written report. “It is recommended that you focus on the remaining areas of improvement highlighted by the assessment tool. Use this report as a way to honor your achievements and to further examine what you can do for positive LGBT change over the next year.”
SIUE received the following ratings in other LGBT areas for 2014:
• Policy inclusion, 4.5 stars
• Support and institutional commitment, 3 stars
• Academic life, 4.5 stars
• Student life, 5 stars
• Housing and residence life, 4.5 stars
• Campus safety, 5 stars
• Counseling and health, 5 stars
• Recruitment and retention efforts, 5 stars
The LGBT Friendly Campus Climate Index report gave SIUE several overall recommendations and encouragements. Some of the suggestions include:
• Further attention in LGBT training for faculty and fostering open LGBT dialogue in the academic setting
• Continue to improve housing options and inclusive policies for LGBT people (specifically for transgender student population)
Below is some praise from the Index report:
• Maintain ongoing examination of LGBT counseling and health concerns, particularly the emotional and physical concerns of students coming out and transgender populations
• Continue to develop outreach and retention programs that target LGBT and Ally communities
The Safe Zone Program provides resources to the university community. SIUE Safe Zone’s mission is “to develop a campus community of allies and provide support to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students, faculty, and staff with the ultimate goal of developing SIUE as a safe and welcoming place for LGBT people.”
For more information about SIUE’s LGBT community, visit Safe Zone.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville provides students with a high quality, affordable education that prepares them for successful careers and lives of purpose. Built on the foundation of a broad-based liberal education, and enhanced by hands-on research and real-world experiences, the academic preparation SIUE students receive equips them to thrive in the global marketplace and make our communities better places to live. Situated on 2,660 acres of beautiful woodland atop the bluffs overlooking the natural beauty of the Mississippi River’s rich bottomland and only a short drive from downtown St. Louis, the SIUE campus is home to a diverse student body of nearly 14,000.