UMD News Releases

Duluth, MN — The University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) is among Campus Pride’s list of 2014 ‘Top 50’ LGBT-Friendly Colleges and Universities. Campus Pride, in partnership with the Huffington Post, released the list today, also announcing that UMD received 5 out of 5 stars for its overall campus climate.

“This recognizes the long-term commitment of students, faculty, and staff to ensure that UMD is an inclusive campus,” says Lisa Erwin, Vice Chancellor of Student Life. “It also tells us that we’re making significant progress towards our strategic goal to foster equity, diversity, and social justice.”

The Top 50 list is based on the responses to the Campus Pride Index. Among the features that led to UMD’s outstanding campus climate ranking include a full-time GLBT director and an active Queer and Allied Student Union. There is also an endowed GLBTA Scholarship at UMD.

Riley Miller, a junior at UMD, isn’t surprised that his school made the list but says the work needs to continue, “Ever since I started school here last fall I have always felt welcomed as an LGBT student. Although I am very proud of UMD and the other schools that made the list, there is still a lot of work to be done. We've made it so far, and we definitely can't stop there."

The areas that scored particularly well on the Campus Pride Index include counseling and health services, campus safety, student life, recruitment and retention, policy inclusion and institutional commitment.

Angie Nichols, GLBT services director, sees the broader implication of the listing. “Truly, the movement’s success is mirrored in these amazing institutions of higher learning. Not surprisingly, UMD has landed in this list of college campuses who are not afraid to be out and proud.”

This is the first year that Campus Pride has released a list of the Top 50; it was limited to 25 schools in previous years. The larger list reflects an increase in the number of campuses coming out as LGBT-friendly. “We are excited to see the increased number of 5/5 star campuses showing such strong dedication to LGBT student support, achievement, and retention,” says Nichols.

Campus Pride is the leading national organization for student leaders and campus groups working to create a safer college environment for LGBT students.

UMD’s detailed listing can be found here: http://www.campusprideindex.org/details/premium.aspx?ID=118