At SOU, we offer a great deal of options for our LGBTQIA+ and Ally students. From courses in academia to residential living opportunities to co-curricular activities and groups, we have something for everyone! University Housing at Southern Oregon University has created an environment where people do not have to identify with a gender in order to find housing. Our gender inclusive living environment exists so that students may decide whether or not they want gender to be a determining factor in their living arrangement on campus. Many of our majors and minors offer courses related to queer studies. In particular, our Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies (GSWS) program offers specific LGBTQ+ related studies on a regular basis. We also have a Queer Resource Center on campus that in committed to promoting educational outreach, community engagement, and support & advocacy through programs and initiatives throughout the year. Our newly created Queer Student Union is active politically and socially on campus and works to create dialogue and community on campus! At SOU, we are committed to providing a well-rounded experience in all aspects of student life. We have a diverse, caring, and active LGBTQIA+ and Allied community. Come check us out and be part of our family!
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: West | |
| City/State: Ashland, OR | |
| Locale: Small Town (10,000 to 25,000) | |
| Student Population (FTE): 6,191 | |
| In-State Tuition: $8,523.00 | |
| Out-of-State Tuition: $23,170.00 | |
| Institution Website: https://sou.edu/ |
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Institution Type: |
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| Master's College/University Baccalaureate College/University Public/State University Liberal Arts College 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
At SOU we offer a breadth of resources and options for our LGBTQIA+ and Ally students. The beginning of each fall term starts with the Rogue Valley Pride celebration complete with a parade through picturesque downtown Ashland and a festival in the equally beautiful Lithia Park. SOU consistently has the largest contingencies marching in the parade! It is a fabulous way to start the academic year. For students who want to explore their identities and be in community with others, our Queer Resource Center offers two support groups; SOU Trans Talk is a peer-led support group and our Queer and Questioning support group is facilitated by an amazing licensed health care provider. Both groups are open to all students! Throughout the year LGBTQ and Ally students have a plethora of events and activities to get involved! Here are some examples of our impressive outreach: - Class panels (for those students who wish to share their identities and knowledge with their peers inside the classroom) - Lavender Socials (welcoming events for socializing and resource sharing) - Pride Week events and celebrations of LGBTQIA+ identities - Transgender Day of Remembrance - Allyship Trainings - Winter's a Drag (drag ball during winter term) - World AIDS Day programming - Rogue Valley Pride - Queer Art & Film Festival - GAYme Night (provides a safe, LGBTQ-friendly gaming environment) - Films and discussions
Featured Quotes
Why you'll love Southern Oregon University
"SOU has provided me with a safe and comfortable place to come and study and be me. It is a family. SOU has allowed me to be myself and feel comfortable on campus being who I truly am."
— -- 20 year-old queer boi junior
"SOU is committed to creating a dynamic, celebratory, inclusive campus community. We work diligently to serve all of our students in the best ways possible. I feel valued as an out, queer-identified staff member of SOU and I will always work so that our students feel the same care and value."
— -- Out SOU staff member
"People are willing to learn and understand my perspectives. This is important to me because all stories matter and by sharing more of ourselves it helps others to be more empathetic. SOU, in focusing on inclusion efforts, has helped me to be more authentically me."
— -- 24 year-old genderqueer senior
"Since my arrival at SOU, I’ve been wholeheartedly accepted for who I am, and have been provided amazing spaces to explore who I am as a student, as a leader, and as a person of the queer community."
— -- 22 year-old queer student
Highlights & Organizations
Upcoming events
10/14/2017
Rogue Valley Pride Parade
11/20/2017
Transgender Day of Remembrance
2/8/2018
'Winter's a Drag' Show
5/11/2018
Erotic Ball (Body Positivity Dance)
6/14/2018
Lavender Graduation & Awards Celebration
Admissions
Admissions Office
Southern Oregon University Admissions Office
SOU Office of Admissions
Southern Oregon University
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR 97520
Phone: 855.470.3377
Website: http://sou.edu/admissions
Admission Application Deadline:
SOU has rolling admissions.
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.
Southern Oregon 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 | 4.5 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 | 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 |
