Oakland University




Campus Facts & Figures

Rating
CAMPUS PRIDE
INDEX
5
out of 5
Stars

The Campus Pride Index is an overall indicator of institutional commitment to LGBTQ-inclusive policy, program and practice. How is this calculated?

Region: Midwest
City/State: Rochester, MI
Locale: Small City (25,000 to 100,000)
Student Population (FTE): 17,170
In-State Tuition: $12,064.00
Out-of-State Tuition: $24,540.00
Institution Website: http://www.oakland.edu
Institution Type:
Doctoral/Research University
Master's College/University
Baccalaureate College/University
Public/State University
Residential Campus

LGBTQ Student Opportunities

 

Colleges and universities want LGBTQ students, faculty and staff to be out and proud as part of the diversity of the campus community.  The Campus Pride Index provides campuses the opportunity to come out as LGBTQ-friendly and take responsibility for continually improving their LGBTQ campus climate. 
 
The Campus Pride Index features LGBTQ student opportunities by highlighting the positive work within higher education across the country. Prospective students and families may choose the best LGBTQ campuses searching the tool based on area of study, cost, location, type of campus and LGBTQ-inclusive policy, programs and practice for their college search.  
 
Reminder: Learn more by signing-up for FREE to participate in Campus Pride's LGBTQ-friendly National College Fair Program in eight different cities and the Campus Pride National Online College Fair.
 

Commitment to LGBTQ Issues

Increasing funding and support to the GSC, and implementing our Preferred Pronouns Policy, are two of the OU 2021-2022 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Goals. Events are regularly attended by administrators, staff, and faculty. We are in close partnership with OU Student Congress.

Our Synopsis

Oakland University is home to a large LGBTQ+ community, based on our long-standing history of being ranked in the top campuses in Michigan on this Index. Our robust Gender and Sexuality Center (GSC) provides opportunities for students to learn about the LGBTQ+ community, for LGBTQ+ students to explore their identities and build communities, and direct support to assist LGBTQ+ students navigating challenges in their home lives and on campus. We work closely with our Gender and Sexuality Alliance student group, LGBTQ+ Alumni Group, and LGBTQIA Employee Resource Group, as well as other campus partners, to facilitate multiple events per month. The GSC is also open every weekday to provide a safe haven for LGBTQ+ students and a hub for LGBTQ+ positive activism for all students.

Featured Quotes

Why you'll love Oakland University

“I came to Oakland without a home, without parents, without friends or family. It was one of the worst periods of my life. I was full of despair from loneliness and isolation, and you were one of the only really friendly and kind people I met first semester.”

— Freshman student

“I don’t always go through the struggles that some who come to the GSC go through, but it brings me so much comfort to see that everyone has you to go to, and now I never worry about myself because I know I have you to go to too.”

— Junior student

“Thanks for helping me out the last few years. Knowing there are people like you in the world who work on college campuses, striving every day to raise awareness for the LGBTIQA+ community and for women, and to support a plethora of students nonetheless, is so inspiring. I always felt like I could come talk to you for a minute even on your most busy days.”

— Senior student

“We wouldn’t have been able to pull it all off and have so many events without you. I can’t thank you enough for the support you give everyone including myself.”

— Sophomore transfer student

“I still always know that if I ever had a concern about anything you’d be more than willing to help me out. That little unspoken and unofficial promise has provided me with so much comfort this year.”

— Freshman student

Highlights & Organizations

Upcoming events


3/26/2021

17th Annual Drag Show

4/14/2021

Lavender Graduation Celebration

9/15/2022

LGBTIQA Fall Welcome Reception

11/18/2022

Transgender Day of Remembrance

9/21/2022

Serving Up Knowledge: LGBTQ+ Faculty and Staff

Groups & activities


Overall Campus Pride Index Score

The Campus Pride Index has a strong theoretical research foundation in LGBTQ current programs, practices and policies for safer, more inclusive campus learning environments. The index tool has been tested extensively since 2001 and recently updated with new, higher LGBTQ national benchmarks in 2015. 

The Campus Pride Index is a vital tool for assisting campuses in learning ways to improve their LGBTQ campus life  and ultimately shape the educational experience to be more inclusive, welcoming and respectful of LGBTQ and ally people. The index is owned and operated by Campus Pride, the leading national nonprofit organization for student leaders and campus groups working to create safer, more LGBTQ-Friendly learning environments at colleges and universities. Campus Pride commends the campuses participating in the index and their willingness to come out, be visible and actively advocate for improving higher education for LGBTQ people.

Note: Prospective students and families are strongly encouraged to research current state laws for any college/university you are considering. The Campus Pride Index is updated annually and only measures current campus policies, programs and practices. Find information about state laws targeting the LGBTQ+ population on the Movement Advancement Project’s Equality Maps at lgbtmap.org/equality-maps.

Oakland University
LGBTQ-friendly break-down by inclusion factors


Sexual Orientation Score
5 of 5
Gender Identity/Expression Score
5 of 5
LGBTQ Policy Inclusion
4.5 of 5
LGBTQ Support & Institutional Commitment
5 of 5
LGBTQ Academic Life
5 of 5
LGBTQ Student Life
5 of 5
LGBTQ Housing & Residence Life
5 of 5
LGBTQ Campus Safety
4.5 of 5
LGBTQ Counseling & Health
4.5 of 5
LGBTQ Recruitment & Retention Efforts
5 of 5
Sections greyed out mean the campus does not offer those services

LGBTQ-Friendly Report Card

LGBTQ Policy Inclusion

Non-discrimination statement inclusive of sexual orientation
Non-discrimination statement inclusive of gender identity/expression
Health insurance coverage to employees’ same sex partner
Accessible, simple process for students to change their name on university records and documents
Accessible, simple process for students to change their gender identity on university records and documents
Students have option to self-identify sexual orientation on admission application or post enrollment forms
Students have option to self-identify gender identity/expression on admission application or post enrollment forms

LGBTQ Support & Institutional Commitment

Resource center/office with responsibilities for LGBTQ students
Paid staff with responsibilities for LGBTQ support services
Ally program or Safe Space/Safe Zone
Actively seek to employ diversity of faculty & staff including visible, out LGBTQ people
Standing advisory committee that deals with LGBTQ issues
LGBTQ alumni group

LGBTQ Academic Life

LGBTQ studies program
LGBTQ specific course offerings
Actively recruit faculty for LGBTQ-related academic scholarship
New faculty/staff training opportunities on sexual orientation issues
New faculty/staff training opportunities on gender identity issues
LGBTQ faculty/staff organization

LGBTQ Student Life

LGBTQ & Ally student organization
LGBTQ & Ally graduate student organization
LGBTQ social fraternity/sorority
Regularly plans LGBTQ social activities
Regularly plans educational events on transgender issues
Regularly offers educational events surrounding intersectionality of identities for LGBTQ people
LGBTQ-inclusive career services

LGBTQ Housing & Residence Life

LGBTQ living space, theme floors and/or living-learning community
Roommate matching for LGBTQ students to find LGBTQ-friendly roommate
Gender-inclusive housing for new students
Gender-inclusive housing for returning students
Gender-inclusive/single occupancy restroom facilities in campus housing
Gender-inclusive/single occupancy shower facilities in campus housing
Trains residence life and housing staff at all levels on LGBTQ issues and concerns

LGBTQ Campus Safety

Procedure for reporting LGBTQ related bias incidents and hate crimes
Active ongoing training for hate crime prevention
Active outreach to LGBTQ students and student organization
Trains campus police on sexual orientation issues
Trains campus police on gender identity/expression issues
Supports victims of LGBTQ sexual violence and partner violence

LGBTQ Counseling & Health

LGBTQ counseling/support groups
Trans-inclusive trained counseling staff
Free, anonymous and accessible HIV/STI testing
LGBTQ-inclusive health information and safer sex materials available
Trans-inclusive student health insurance policy which covers ongoing counseling services
Trans-inclusive student health insurance policy which covers hormone replacement therapy

LGBTQ Recruitment & Retention

Annually participates in LGBTQ admission fairs
LGBTQ student scholarships
LGBTQ mentoring program to welcome and assist LGBTQ students in transitioning to academic and college life
Special Lavender or Rainbow Graduation ceremony for LGBTQ students and allies
Admission counselors receive LGBTQ-inclusive training and resources

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