Eastern Michigan University has been recognized as one
of the 100 Best Campuses for lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgendered (LGBT) students by The Advocate College Guide
for LGBT Students, the first comprehensive campus guide
to highlight the 100 most LGBT-friendly campuses in the
United States.
"EMU prides itself on its diversity and its efforts to
create an inclusive environment," said Jim Vick, vice president
for student affairs at EMU. "Being recognized as one of
the best universities for LGBT provides some evidence that
we are successful in our endeavors and that this success
will encourage others to become part of the EMU family."
 |
LGBT FRIENDLY: Eastern Michigan
University
was recently named one of the
100 most LGBT-friendly
campuses in the
United States by The Advocate College
Guide for LGBT Students. |
The book, available from Alyson Books, profiles 100 colleges
and universities from across the country that offer resources
and create a positive living and learning environment for
LGBT students. Campus PrideNet, the leading national organization
for LGBT and ally student leaders, with support from a
team of expert LGBT professionals from the National Consortium
of Directors of LGBT Resources in Higher Education, developed
the criteria and a questionnaire for nominations. The purpose
of the questionnaire was to gather feedback from current
LGBT students, faculty and staff regarding personal experiences
and opinions about their campus.
After receiving nominations from 680 campuses and conducting
more than 5,500 online interviews, 100 campuses were selected
for the book based on institutional policies, commitment
and support, academic life, housing, student life, counseling
and health services, campus safety, and recruitment and
retention efforts. The list of 100 is broken down in multiple
indexes such as region, state, type of institution and
size. Individual campus profiles include information on
size, tuition, admission application deadlines, gay-affirmative
policies, events, LGBT student groups and resources, housing
for LGBT students and more.
"This award affirms what we know to be true, that EMU
is a very diverse and a welcoming place," said Glenna Frank
Miller, director of McKenny Union and Campus Life. "We
are proud of our LGBT Resource Center and the staff. They
help create such a great environment for all of our students."
"The top 100 colleges and universities profiled in The
Advocate College Guide lead the way for the rest of higher
education to be LGBT-friendly. These campuses take to heart
the value of supporting all students...what better way for
a campus to come out as LGBT-friendly," said Shane L. Windmeyere,
executive director of Campus PrideNet and the author of
the guide.
"Of course, I am thrilled and excited about the EMU
Campus receiving this honor. However, I am not surprised," said
Kay Woodiel, director of diversity programs and community
service. "The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered Resource
Center at EMU recognizes the need for balance between social,
educational and political programming. Indeed, the
LGBTRC is providing our campus with educationally purposeful
diversity and opportunities for learning beyond the classroom.
We want to continue our work for the transgendered community
and toward a University policy for gender identity and
expression."
For additional information about Campus PrideNet or to
order a copy of The Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students,
visit www.campuspride.net.
