LGBT students welcome
The rankings are based on responses to the Campus Pride Index, a benchmarking tool that assesses LGBT-friendly policies, programs and practices.
According to Campus Pride, campuses on the list “are specifically addressing recruitment and academic retention efforts for LGBT students as well as concerns for transgender student safety.”
“Over the last several years there has been a proactive campus-wide effort to improve the climate for LGBTIQA-identified* students,” says Red Tremmel, director of the Office for Gender and Sexual Diversity. “Our placement on this list acknowledges all of the hard work undertaken by students, faculty and staff to foster a welcoming and inclusive climate on campus.”
While this is the first time Tulane has made the top 50, Tremmel says the university"s score has improved concurrent with the founding of the Office of Gender and Sexual Diversity in 2012.
“In 2012 we had a four-star ranking according to Campus Pride,” says Tremmel. “In 2013 we went up to a five out of five-star ranking. This year we made it into the top colleges list.”
The Office for Gender and Sexual Diversity will host several events during the fall semester, beginning with the annual kick-off reception for faculty, staff and students. The reception is co-hosted with the Tulane Gender and Sexuality Studies Program. RSVP is requested.
A full list of programs can be seen here.
*LGBTIQA lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, ally/asexual
