Lehigh University is first and foremost an educational institution, committed to developing the future leaders of our changing global society. We affirm the inherent dignity in all of us, and we maintain an inclusive and equitable community. We recognize and celebrate the richness contributed to our lives by our diverse community. We promote mutual understanding among the members of our community. We confront and reject discrimination in all its forms, including that based on age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socio economics, veteran status, or any differences that have been excuses for misunderstanding, dissension, or hatred. We affirm academic freedom within our community and uphold our commitment to the highest standards of respect, civility, courtesy, and sensitivity toward every individual. We recognize each person’s right to think and speak as dictated by personal belief and to respectfully disagree with or counter another’s point of view. We promote open expression of our individuality and our differences within the bounds of University policies. We acknowledge each person’s obligation to the community of which we have chosen to be a part. We take pride in building and maintaining a culture that is founded on these principles of unity and respect.
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: Mid-Atlantic | |
| City/State: Bethlehem, PA | |
| Locale: Small City (25,000 to 100,000) | |
| Student Population (FTE): 6,950 | |
| In-State Tuition: $52,480.00 | |
| Out-of-State Tuition: $52,480.00 | |
| Institution Website: https://diversityandinclusion.lehigh.edu/pride-center |
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Institution Type: |
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| Doctoral/Research University Master's College/University Baccalaureate College/University Private Institution 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
The Pride Center for Sexual Orientation & Gender Diversity exists to build a just, equitable world through community building and the pursuit of change. We work to create a world where people of all genders and sexualities are able to thrive as their full, authentic selves. We commit to the belief that all oppressions are interlinked, and that we cannot work toward liberation for LGBTQ+ communities unless liberation for all marginalized communities is centered. We commit to educating and empowering our campus constituents to develop as change agents who act as intentional allies and advocates for all marginalized communities. We commit to excellence by ensuring that the Pride Center's work is theoretically grounded and data-driven. Lehigh undergraduate & graduate students can engage with the Pride Center in many different ways, including: joining a student organization (Spectrum, oSTEM, Prism, or SPEAK Peer Educators), attending Peer Led support groups (TGNC, BPFQ, QTPOC), applying to work on the Pride Center Student Staff, interning in the Pride Center, attending our signature events / lunch & learn discussions, or just hanging out in our lounge!
Featured Quotes
Why you'll love Lehigh University
The LGBTQ+ and ally community at Lehigh truly has made me feel welcomed in a new state, city, and campus. The work that we do through advocacy, education, and fellowship is changing our world and our campus each day.
— Lehigh Staff Member
The general environment at Lehigh is one of acceptance... My experience with the Theatre Department and its productions has been characterized by great support and being accepted as normal.
— Lehigh 5th-year Student
The Pride center is an amazing resource for all Lehigh students, faculty, and staff. The center promotes an inclusive environment of understanding and acceptance.The staff always greet everyone with an openness and warmness that is a beacon for all students and provides us all with a sense of belonging no matter of gender identity, gender expression, or attraction. Honestly, the pride center is for everyone because anyone who attends any pride event will feel like they belong there. I am appreciative of the community and connection the pride center fosters so well! It makes me prouder.
— Lehigh Staff Member
Through the Pride Center's programming, I've been fortunate enough to serve as a queer mentor to a graduate student, meet students outside of [my usual] realm, and connect and socialize with colleagues from many areas around campus I otherwise would not interact with professionally.
— Lehigh Staff Member
The Pride Center has the most genuine staff who offer an inclusive space, support, and incredible information/resources for students and even faculty and staff.
— Lehigh Undergraduate Student
Highlights & Organizations
Upcoming events
5/21/2019
Take Pride! Ceremony & Reception
11/16/2019
A Night of Empowerment/Fall Signature Event
4/28/2019
Pride-A-Palooza - An Educational Carnival
Admissions
Admissions Office
Lehigh University Admissions Office
Office of Admissions
Lehigh University
Lehigh University
27 Memorial Drive West
Bethlehem, PA 18015-3094
Phone: (610) 758-3100
Website: http://www1.lehigh.edu/admissions/undergrad
Admission Application Deadline:
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.
Lehigh University
LGBTQ-friendly break-down by inclusion factors
| Sexual Orientation Score | 5 of 5 |
| Gender Identity/Expression Score | 5 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Policy Inclusion | 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 | 5 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Counseling & Health | 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 |
