THE MODERN (LGBT) FAMILY IN ADMISSIONS: HOW WE PREPARE FOR THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE Beverly Henry Wheeler, Regional Director of Admission University of Tulsa, Tulsa, Ok

OVERVIEW OF THE SESSION  Core Ethics  Define the Modern Family  Major Concerns for the Modern Family in Admission  Case Studies  Role of Guidance Counselors  Role of Admission Counselor  Resources

In the 1950's, the ideal family consisted of a mother, father, two kids and a white picket fence. But the traditional family unit has evolved. Are we prepared? THE MODERN FAMILY

MAJOR CONCERNS  Disclosure  Gender Identity and Records  Finances  Campus Environment

CASE STUDY ONE: RECRUITMENT A small but increasing number of students reveal their sexuality on their college applications. Sometimes these are applicants engaged in their high school LGBT communities who write about extracurricular activities that make their sexual orientation obvious. Others struggle with when to disclose this personal information to colleges. A student asked their guidance counselor should they come out in an interview or college essay.

CASE STUDY TWO: GENDER IDENTITY An applicant admitted was in the process of transitioning from a woman to a man. When the student applied, there were no LGBT indicators in his file, and he identified himself as a woman and used a woman’s name. Now Peter wanted the office of admission to aid his transition to college by erasing any records of his former gender. Who should Peter contact and what information is needed?

CASE STUDY THREE: FINANCES AND FAMILIES John as applied and been admitted and is in the process of applying for financial aid. However prior to completing the FAFSA, John reveals to his parents that he is gay. His parents refuse to complete the FAFSA after John discloses to them that he is gay. What options do John have now?

CASE STUDY FOUR: CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT Before applying a student asked their guidance counselor if she knew of LGBT friendly, welcoming campuses. How can guidance counselors answer this question? How does a university identify as a friendly LGBT campus and should they?

ROLE OF GUIDANCE COUNSELORS  Knowledgeable of Resources  Honest about Environment  Sensitive about Situation  ?

ROLE OF ADMISSION COUNSELOR  Knowledgeable of Resources  Honest about Environment  Sensitive about Situation  ?

RESOURCES  National Campus Pride -  National Gay and Lesbian Task Force –  Parents, Families and Friends of LAG –  Human Rights Campaign -  The Lambda 10 Project –

QUESTIONS?

SPECIAL CONSIDERATION “Admission officers are use to considering demographic factors when reading and recruiting students, but being LGBT does not quite align with how we treat race, religion, socioeconomics, or other statuses. The defining difference is that most demographics are shared between parents and children. There are rare exceptions where parents and children do not have the same race or socioeconomic status, or where religion or disability set family members apart. Differences in sexual orientation stand out as a characteristic that needs to be treated with special consideration.” Benjamin S. Baum, Associate Director of Admissions at Tufts

LET US BE EQUIPPED FOR THE MODERN FAMILY!