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November 29, 2011 Presented by: Lowell Kane, Program Coordinator GLBT Resource Center Division of Student Affairs. Reviewing Campus climate research on gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender ( GLBt ) aggies. Review results of climate research on experiences and perceptions of GLBT Aggies
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November 29, 2011 Presented by: Lowell Kane, Program Coordinator GLBT Resource Center Division of Student Affairs Reviewing Campus climate research on gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBt) aggies
Review results of climate research on experiences and perceptions of GLBT Aggies • Princeton Review • Residence Life (Reichert, 2008) • Share results from LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index National Assessment (2009) objectives
1994– The Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Students’ Guide to Colleges, Universities, and Grad Schools “Unanimously, students believe that homophobia is a serious problemon campus” and coming out on campus would be a big problem 1999 – Princeton Review 3rd least friendly college campus for GLBT students. 2000 – Gender Issues Campus Climate Assessment Report and Recommendations Internal assessment, supportive of 1999 Princeton Review results TAMU not supportive environment for GLBT Aggies 2003 – The relation of religious affiliation, service attendance, and other factors to homophobic attitudes among university students “On the whole, we have found that, despite much attention to gayrights in the media and within the churches, homophobic attitudes are stillquite prevalent among this young college population, especially amongmales.” 2004 – An assessment of the Campus Climate for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender persons as perceived by the faculty, staff and administrators at Texas A&M University Dissertation, Educational Psychology Faculty, staff, and administrators perceive TAMU as not supportive towards GLBT students Climate results at tamu
2005 – Princeton Review 7th least friendly college campus for GLBT students 2008 – What’s So Gay? Results of a Campus Climate Survey in the Residence Halls Overall climate not getting worse, in fact, gettingbetter – Vision 2020, students more aware and accepting, but University isstill a challenging place Princeton Review - 12th least friendly college campus for GLBT students CAMPUS CLIMATE INDEX – 3 Star campus, same as UT Austin 2009 – Princeton Review 15th Least Friendly College Campus for GLBT students 2010 – Princeton Review 17th Least Friendly College Campus for GLBT students 2011 – Princeton Review 10thLeast Friendly College Campus for GLBT students Least Friendly public institution Climate results at tamu
National assessment tool Developed in 2001 by a team of national LGBT researchers including Brett GennyBeemyn, Ph.D, Susan R. Rankin, Ph.D. and Shane L. Windmeyer, M.S, Ed. Tool for identifying ways to improve LGBT campus life and shape the educational experience to be more inclusive, welcoming and respectful of LGBT and Ally people. Lgbt-friendly campus climate index
Strong theoretical research foundation in campus climate issues. • Tested extensively since 2001 through various national outlets, including: • Creating Change Conference, National Gay & Lesbian Task Force • Corporate Equality index Staff, Human Rights Campaign • Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals • Individual Campuses/Higher Education Professionals in the LGBT field of study • 50+ weighted self-assessment questions, which correspond to eight different LGBT-Friendly factors. 1. LGBT Policy Inclusion 2. LGBT Support & Institutional Commitment 3. LGBT Student Life 4. LGBT Academic Life 5. LGBT Housing 6. LGBT Campus Safety 7. LGBT Counseling & Health 8. LGBT Recruitment and Retention Efforts • Currently, 188 colleges/universities have their results posted on a searchable database utilized by students, faculty, and staff researching these schools Lgbt-friendly campus climate index
TAMU making strides towards providing all Aggies a safe, welcoming, respectful, and inclusive campus by enhancing and developing programs and resources Incorporating GLBT identities in a variety of course offerings, student organizations, campus services Opportunities for improvements to services addressing campus/community safety, housing concerns, and an inclusive nondiscrimination policy Summary and Recommendations
“Every student has the right to a safe learning environment where they can learn, live and grow academically and socially. As a result, campuses have the power and responsibility to enact policies, programs and practices that work to enhance the campus climate for all students -- including LGBT and Ally students.” -Shane Windmeyer LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index