By Steve Nakata, Student Affairs
PULLMAN, Wash. – A prominent LGBTQ organization has named Washington State University in Pullman one of the nation’s top 25 campuses for LGBTQ inclusion and safety.
The news was announced Aug. 28 by Campus Pride, an educational resource that helps students and families find the best campuses. It also works with university faculty, staff and administrators to help support and improve the quality of campus life for LGBTQ students.
The full list can be viewed online at CampusPride.org/Top25,
Matthew Jeffries, director of WSU’s Gender Identity/Expression and Sexual Orientation Resource Center (GIESORC) said this recognition is helpful in demonstrating to prospective students that LGBTQ issues are seriously considered by WSU’s administration.
“This honor speaks to the hard work and dedication of students, staff and faculty on our campuses striving to make WSU a more welcoming community to LGBTQ students,” said Jeffries.
Campus Pride chose the 25 campuses based on their overall ratings on the Campus Pride Index and specific LGBTQ-inclusive benchmark measures. The Campus Pride Index, currently including 300+ campuses, is a well-known national benchmarking tool that self-assesses LGBTQ-friendly policies, programs and practices.
While pleased that WSU has been included in the top 25 for the fourth time, Jeffries said, “there is always more to do, and we must continue to focus on policy changes and programming that is not necessarily reflected in the Campus Pride Index, that can impact our community,” he said.
WSU joins the University of Washington and the University of Oregon as the only schools listed from the Pac-12 Conference and are among only seven recognized from the West Coast.
Media Contact:
- Matthew Jeffries, director, Gender Identity/Expression & Sexual Orientation Resource Center, 509-335-8841, matthew.jeffries@wsu.edu.
- Steve Nakata, public relations and communications coordinator, Division of Student Affairs, 509-335-1774, nakata@wsu.edu