Elon is “Best of the Best” among LGBTQ-Friendly Universities

For the 7th consecutive year, Campus Pride ranks Elon University as “Top 30 Best of the Best LGBTQ-Friendly Universities in U.S.”

The Campus Pride index is a vital tool for assisting campuses in learning ways to improve their LGBTQ campus life and ultimately shape the educational experience to be more inclusive, welcoming and respectful of LGBTQ and ally people.

The index is owned and operated by Campus Pride, the leading national nonprofit organization for student leaders and campus groups working to create safer, more LGBTQ-friendly learning environments at colleges and universities. The index is supported under the Campus Pride Q Research Institute for Higher Education as well as benefits from strategic partnerships with professional organizations in higher education and related LGBTQ nonprofit organizations.

Read our recent E-net article.

The GLC has come so far since its start at Elon, but there is still progress to be made. We are working hard to make sure this University is as inclusive as possible.

LGBTQ Support & Institutional Commitment

  • Resource center/office with responsibilities for LGBTQ students
  • Paid staff with responsibilities for LGBTQ support services
  • Ally program or Safe Space/Safe Zone
  • Actively seek to employ diversity of faculty & staff including visible, out LGBTQ people
  • Standing advisory committee that deals with LGBTQ issues
  • LGBTQ alumni group

LGBTQ Policy Inclusion

  • Non-discrimination statement inclusive of sexual orientation
  • Non-discrimination statement inclusive of gender identity/expression
  • Health insurance coverage to employees’ same sex partner
  • Accessible, simple process for students to change their name on university records and documents
  • Students have option to self-identify sexual orientation on admission application or post enrollment forms
  • Students have option to self-identify gender identity/expression on admission application or post enrollment forms

LGBTQ Academic Life

  • LGBTQ studies program
  • LGBTQ specific course offerings
  • Actively recruit faculty for LGBTQ-related academic scholarship
  • New faculty/staff training opportunities on sexual orientation issues
  • New faculty/staff training opportunities on gender identity issues
  • LGBTQ faculty/staff organization

LGBTQ Student Life

  • LGBTQ & Ally student organization
  • LGBTQ & Ally graduate student organization
  • Regularly plans LGBTQ social activities
  • Regularly plans educational events on transgender issues
  • Regularly offers educational events surrounding intersectionality of identities for LGBTQ people
  • LGBTQ-inclusive career services

LGBTQ Housing & Residence Life

  • LGBTQ living space, theme floors and/or living-learning community
  • Gender-inclusive housing for new students
  • Gender-inclusive housing for returning students
  • Gender-inclusive/single occupancy restroom facilities in campus housing
  • Gender-inclusive/single occupancy shower facilities in campus housing
  • Trains residence life and housing staff at all levels on LGBTQ issues and concerns

LGBTQ Campus Safety

  • Procedure for reporting LGBTQ related bias incidents and hate crimes
  • Active ongoing training for hate crime prevention
  • Active outreach to LGBTQ students and student organization
  • Trains campus police on sexual orientation issues
  • Trains campus police on gender identity/expression issues
  • Supports victims of LGBTQ sexual violence and partner violence

LGBTQ Counseling & Health

  • Trans-inclusive trained counseling staff
  • Free, anonymous and accessible HIV/STI testing
  • LGBTQ-inclusive health information and safer sex materials available

LGBTQ Recruitment & Retention

  • Annually participates in LGBTQ admission fairs
  • LGBTQ student scholarships
  • LGBTQ mentoring program to welcome and assist LGBTQ students in transitioning to academic and college life
  • Special Lavender or Rainbow Graduation ceremony for LGBTQ students and allies
  • Admission counselors receive LGBTQ-inclusive training and resources