EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Eastern Michigan University has again been recognized as one of the nation’s most inclusive campuses for LGBTQ students.

AffordableCollegesOnline.org, a national source for higher education information, resources, affordability and rankings, cited Eastern as a school dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. Eastern was the top-ranked Michigan university, one of only three universities in the state to make the listings.

The listings cited the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Resource Center (LGBTRC) at Eastern. The Center strives to create a supportive and open environment for all students, while doing its best to accommodate distance students with online resources, such as support groups, upcoming events that students may want to come to campus for, and a preferred name process for students.

At the resource center, students have access to classroom resources, books and information regarding on-campus jobs. The Center also welcomes allies to become involved in its mission to support the LGBTQ community at EMU.

AffordableCollegesOnline.org also noted that students who exhibit a deep interest and commitment to LGBTQ+ issues may be eligible to apply for the Stonewall Scholarship, which includes an award of $1,000.

In addition, “groups such as the Coming Out/Being Out Support Group, the Trans/Genderqueer (TGQ) Group, and the Queer and Trans People of Color Collective (QTPOCC) provide further social support for students looking to open a dialogue about the issues they have been experiencing,” EMU’s listing said.

“Eastern Michigan University is proud to have been selected once again as Michigan’s top LGBTQ-friendly university by AffordableCollegesOnline.org,” said Ellen Gold, assistant vice president for student well-being. “The LGBT Resource Center, its coordinator, Mary Larkin, and student staff seek to strengthen and build the EMU campus community as one that is supportive and inclusive of ALL individuals through their programs and events.”

The general criteria used to identify the most LGBTQ-friendly colleges of 2018 include the following:

• Accredited, not-for-profit 4-year public or private institution.

• The school offers students a professionally run LGBTQ support center staffed by at least one paid professional or graduate assistant directing LGBTQ resources.

• LGBTQ scholarship or scholarship resources are offered.

• The school has gender-inclusive housing.

• LGBTQ clubs, organizations, and events are offered.

“These schools are leading the charge in helping LGBTQ students find an inclusive campus that will support their personal and academic needs,” said Dan Schuessler, CEO and Founder for AffordableCollegesOnline.org in describing the rankings.

About AffordableCollegesOnline.org

The resource was founded in 2012 to provide quality data and information about pursuing an affordable higher education. It offers free community resource materials and tools that span topics such as financial aid and college savings, opportunities for veterans and people with disabilities, and online learning resources.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves 20,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.