Western Michigan University strives to provide a safe, welcoming environment which encourages a diverse population. In order to facilitate the comfort and inclusion of all students, faculty, and staff of the university, Western includes sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in its non-discrimination policy. No one attending or working for Western should, under any circumstances, be discriminated against or harassed for being part of the LBGT community. Diversity at Western Michigan University encompasses inclusion, acceptance, respect and empowerment. This means understanding that each individual is unique and that our commonalities and differences make the contributions we have to offer all the more valuable. Diversity includes the dimensions of race, ethnicity, and national and regional origins; sex, gender identity and sexual orientation; socioeconomic status, age, physical attributes and abilities; and religious, political, cultural, and intellectual ideologies and practices.
Colleges & Universities
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: Kalamazoo, MI | |
| Locale: Small City (25,000 to 100,000) | |
| Student Population (FTE): 24,000 | |
| In-State Tuition: $12,000.00 | |
| Out-of-State Tuition: $14,000.00 | |
| Institution Website: http://www.wmich.edu/lbgt |
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Institution Type: |
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| Doctoral/Research University Master's College/University Baccalaureate College/University Public/State University Residential Campus Hispanic Serving Institution |
LGBTQ Student Opportunities
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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.
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Commitment to LGBTQ Issues
Our Synopsis
The Office of LBGT Student Services offers support, education and advocacy around issues of gender identity/expression and sexual orientation. We collaborate with student organizations, university departments and local organizations to provide our campus community with access to healthy resources, activities, and support services. We strive to ensure equitable access for all at Western Michigan University and promote a campus climate that affirms and supports the academic and personal development of all students inclusive of their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. We provide a resource room, open to all students. The resource room is open and available to anyone who wants to take a break between classes, check out a book from the lending library, or learn more about our programs and events in a safe and welcoming environment. The resource room is home to many of our programs and events that take place throughout the year. Walk-ins are always welcome during our regular office hours. Our campus provides gender-inclusive housing, intended to be an empowering, inclusive and supportive environment where students of all gender identities and sexual orientations, including or inclusive of allies, can live and learn together. We also provide gender neutral bathrooms as well as shower facilities to ensure the comfort of all students.
Featured Quotes
Why you'll love Western Michigan University
“OUTSpoken [the LBGT registered student organization] helped define the course of my freshman year. I was surrounded by loving people, all with the goal of educating ourselves and others. Through the work of the Office of LBGT Student Services, I feel more connected to WMU. This program one of the best things I could have experienced.”
— Joey, OUTSpoken participant, 18, freshman, ally, he/him/his.
“Working as a summer intern in the Office of LBGT Student Services was the best thing that has ever happened to me. Not only did I help plan events, learn more about the LGBT community, and discover all of the resources in Kalamazoo; but, most importantly, I made amazing friends who I was able to share many laughs with this summer.”
— Katie, Summer Intern, 20, junior, queer, she/her/hers
"I feel a lot more comfortable on campus than I thought I would. On a scale from one to five, I'd say WMU is a solid 4.5.
— Brittany, 20, junior, non-binary, asexual, they/them/theirs
Inclusion at WMU encourages a diverse and ever-changing campus culture.The world is massive and diverse, and WMU truly embodies that spirit, preparing students for the world outside of academia.
— Katrina, sophomore, 19, lesbian, she/her/hers
Highlights & Organizations
Upcoming events
9/1/2019
Fall Fab Fest - A Queer Friendly Welcome Back Event
10/11/2019
Coming Out Week
4/10/2019
Lavendar Graduation - LBGTQ Graduation and Awards Ceremony
Admissions
Admissions Office
Western Michigan University Admissions Office
Office of Admissions
Western Michigan University
Seibert Hall
1903. West Michigan Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Phone: (269) 387-2000
Website: https://wmich.edu/admissions
Admission Application Deadline:
Early January, September
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.
Western Michigan University
LGBTQ-friendly break-down by inclusion factors
| Sexual Orientation Score | 4 of 5 |
| Gender Identity/Expression Score | 4 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Policy Inclusion | 3.5 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Support & Institutional Commitment | 4.5 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Academic Life | 3.5 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Student Life | 5 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Housing & Residence Life | 4.5 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Campus Safety | 3 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Counseling & Health | 3 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 |
