UMD News Releases

UMD has been recognized as one of the 100 Best Campuses for LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) students and was included in the August 1 issue of "The Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students," the first comprehensive campus guide to highlight the 100 most LGBT-friendly campuses in the United States. UMD's positive environment, programs and services and LGBT student coalitions were cited as criteria for the selection.

"I am honored that UMD has was selected and recognized as a campus that accepts all people for who they are regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression," said Angie Nichols, Director of Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Services at UMD. "The GLBT Services office has worked diligently to create a welcoming environment for current and prospective GLBT students, faculty and staff, amid a difficult time in our movement's history for equal rights. This would not have been accomplished without the commitment of the UMD administration, faculty, staff, students and community members, namely our faith-based allies and technical support and advising from state and national organizations."

The publication profiles 100 colleges and universities across the country that offer resources and create a positive living and learning environment for LGBT students. Campus PrideNet, the leading national organization for LGBT and ally student leaders (with support from a team of expert LGBT professionals from the National Consortium of Directors of LGBT Resources in Higher Education) developed the criteria along with a questionnaire for nominations. They gathered feedback from current LGBT students, faculty and staff regarding personal experiences and opinions about their campus.

After receiving nominations from 680 campuses and conducting more than 5,500 online interviews, 100 campuses were selected for the book based on institutional policies, commitment and support, academic life, housing, student life, counseling and health services, campus safety, and recruitment and retention efforts. The list of 100 is broken down in multiple indexes such as region, state, type of institution and size. Individual campus profiles include information on size, tuition, admission application deadlines, gay-affirmative policies, events, LGBT student groups and resources, housing for LGBT students and more.

"The top 100 colleges and universities profiled in "The Advocate College Guide" are leading the way for the rest of higher education to be LGBT-friendly. These campuses take to heart the value of supporting all students," said Shane L. Windmeyer, executive director of Campus PrideNet and author of the guide.

For more information about Campus PrideNet or to view a copy of "The Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students," visit http://www.campuspride.net/