OU recognized as one of the top LGBTQ-friendly campuses in Michigan

For the first time, Oakland University has achieved a five out of five-star rating on the Campus Pride Index, which rates both colleges and universities using a five-star rating system.

The rating also designates OU as one of the top LGBTQ-friendly campuses in the state of Michigan based on a variety of factors, including LGBTQ policy inclusion, academic life, student life, campus safety, housing and residence life, and other relevant practices.

"I am overjoyed," said Blake Bonkowski, coordinator for the Gender and Sexuality Center at OU.

According to the Campus Pride website, Oakland University tied with the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor for the top spot based on their respective scores.

"We can confidently say we are in the top two most LGBTQ+ friendly campuses in Michigan, as ranked by the Campus Pride Index," Bonkowski said. "We are now one of only two campuses in Michigan to hold a five-star score."

The university was rated highly in multiple areas, with Campus Pride noting that OU has already implemented several LGBTQ-inclusive policies and programs on campus, including:

• Adoption of a non-discrimination statement inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression

• Providing health insurance coverage to employee's same-sex partner

• An accessible, simple process for students to changes their name and gender identity on university records and documents

• Actively seeking to employ diversity of faculty and staff, including visible, out LGBTQ people

• Training new faculty/staff on sexual orientation and gender identity issues

• LGBTQ-specific courses and programs

• Gender-inclusive housing for new and returning students

• A procedure for reporting LGBTQ-related bias incidents and hate crimes

• LGBTQ student scholarships

• A trans-inclusive trained counseling staff.

In addition, the report also highlighted several of the LGBTQ-inclusive social activities and educational events offered at OU, including the Gender and Sexuality Alliance Annual Drag Show, Lavender Graduation Celebration, LGBTIQA Fall Welcome Reception, Jumpstart for New LGBTIQA Students, and the Transgender Day of Remembrance, as well as the availability of the Gender and Sexuality Center, which serves as an important resource for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual and ally students, staff and faculty at Oakland University.

For more information, visit https://oakland.edu/gsc.

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