University of Northern Iowa 2011-2012 Campus Climate Index University of Northern Iowa 2011-2012

About the index Campus Pride Campus Climate Index 2001 National nonprofit Focused on creating a safer college environment Campus Climate Index National assessment tool LGBT friendliness Online information Campus profile Stars for each score Climate Summary Scores (out of five stars) Overall Sexual Orientation Gender Identity/Expression

Overall Campus Climate Score 58%

Sexual Orientation Score 75% Visibly include issues of sexual orientation in the campus framework for diversity.

Gender Identity/Expression 48% Strengthen commitment to transgender issues. Enact more trans-inclusive programs and services.

Campus climate index subscores LGBT Policy Inclusion LGBT Support & Institutional Commitment LGBT Academic Life LGBT Student Life LGBT Housing & Residence Life LGBT Campus Safety LGBT Counseling & Health LGBT Recruitment & Retention Efforts

70% LGBT Policy Inclusion Areas where there are no’s. Opportunity to identify gender identity on applications for admission or housing. Representations or inclusion of issues or concerns in admission materials or housing guidelines. Further examine the needs of the LGBT community.

LGBT Support & Institutional commitment 52% When leadership waivers from year to year, the quality of the campus experience can change substantially. Relying too heavily on LGBT & Ally student leaders and/or faculty and staff who volunteer time to educate the campus about sexual orientation and gender identity.

Opportunities to increase support & institutional commitment Full-time, professional staff member devoted to LGBT support and campus awareness LGBT concerns office or student resource center Another office on campus that actively deals with LGBT concerns (ie Women’s Center, Multicultural Center, etc.) Standing advisory committee that deals with LGBT concerns LGBT alumni group Active use of “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” by senior administrators when discussing diversity issues

LGBT Academic Life 50% Ways to infuse the history and study of LGBT people and issues into the curriculum. Some faculty do this already, but this is difficult to measure. Consider the ways that we can make the classroom experience more inclusive and LGBT friendly.

LGBT Student Life 72% Ask students their perspectives and needs for student involvement, social activities, and educational events.

LGBT Housing & Residence Life 56% Available housing in keeping with gender identity/expression, gender neutral or single occupancy restrooms, Score indicates steady progress being made. Pay specific attention to developing trans-sensitive housing accommodations and equitable policies.

LGBT Campus Safety 84% Examples are bias incident team, methods for supporting victims, outreach to LGBT groups regarding safety, training for officers on LGBT issues, iowa non-discrimination law Score indicates progressive efforts taken to address safety concerns.

LGBT Counseling & Health 46% Students say they love the counseling center Our campus lacks necessary services and has definite areas to improve for addressing LGBT emotional and physical health needs.

Opportunities to increase counseling and health services Offer support groups for LGBT individuals Provide training for health-center staff to increase sensitivity to LGBT health care needs Distribute female condoms along with the male condoms Enable transitioning transsexual students to have their hormone replacement therapy covered by the student health insurance

LGBT Recruitment & Retention Efforts 32% Our campus demonstrates a lack of LGBT recruitment and retention efforts

Opportunities to increase recruitment and retention efforts Offer more scholarships specifically for LGBT and ally students Include sexual orientation and gender identity/expression issues in new student orientation programs Offer special graduation ceremony/events for LGBT students and allies Offer an LGBT mentoring program to welcome and assist new LGBT students transitioning to academic and college life

Current Challenges Limited institutionalized forms of support Transgender student needs Health Care Housing Restrooms Social safety, inside and outside the classroom Other examples of one would be a budget line, a resource center, a full time position

Current Opportunities New GA Position in the Dean of Students Office Participation in the Campus Climate Index GA working with diversity fellows to identify LGBT student needs and propose changes Online Safe Zone Ally Program New LGBT student organization, Transgenda Increasing number of gender-neutral and single occupancy restrooms in academic buildings