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.
National Listing of LGBTQ-Friendly
Colleges & Universities
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: 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 |
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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 |
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
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
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 |
