Sterling College is committed to creating and maintaining a community which: is free from racism, sexism, homophobia, and other prejudices; is free from the weight of hate, discrimination and fear; promotes and fosters physical and emotional safety; and fosters civil and respectful dialogue. We believe that all people deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, and that our community is strengthened through diversity. Sterling College believes in living together in community. Together, we care for our campus and each other. We strive to be an educational community in which people of all backgrounds and identities feel at home, where our differences are embraced, and where individuals take responsibility for furthering the dignity of all. Sterling College recruits and engages LGBTQ students, faculty, staff, and senior leadership, as well as a strong base of allies. We provide a range of educational and social programs, academic courses, leadership development opportunities, and safe spaces for discussion and inquiry. From our Equity Club to gender inclusive housing to ally training to social justice classes to participation in Vermont Pride, Sterling College promotes and celebrates an engaged, inclusive community.
Region: New England | |
City/State: Craftsbury Common, VT | |
Locale: Rural Community (less than 5,000) | |
Student Population (FTE): 100 | |
In-State Tuition: $39,500.00 | |
Out-of-State Tuition: $39,500.00 | |
Institution Website: http://www.sterlingcollege.edu |
Institution Type: |
|
Private Institution Liberal Arts College 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

Our Synopsis

Sterling College supports its students within a restorative justice model, prioritizing social justice and equity as core values. We offer a wide range of experiential opportunities for LGBTQ & Ally students. We have a campus-wide safe space policy, and social justice and ally trainings for faculty, students, and staff. We host an Equity Club where community members facilitate workshops and conversations around LGBTQ issues on campus and in the world at large. All community members self-identify their gender identity and sexual orientation. Gender neutral restrooms and accommodations are available throughout campus. Our community supports an intentional culture inclusive of all genders, sexualities, and intersecting identities. Community Advisors advise and advocate for all students with questions, problems, and crises and are a direct link between students and the Dean of Community. All Wellness staff, including Community Advisors, are specially trained to work within and actively support the LGBTQ student community. Our College Counselor is trained to support students around identity, coming out, and transition. Sterling also has weekly Community Meetings and Community Councils where all students, staff, and faculty come together, face-to-face, to discuss issues and concerns, and demonstrate our appreciation for each other. Coursework in social justice allow students to discuss LGBTQ issues in academic and community settings.
Admissions

Admissions Office
Sterling College Admissions Office
Tim Patterson
Sterling College
PO Box 72
16 Sterling Drive
Craftsbury Common, VT 05827
Phone: 802-586-7711
Website: www.sterlingcollege.edu
Admission Application Deadline:
rolling
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.
Sterling College
LGBTQ-friendly break-down by inclusion factors
Sexual Orientation Score | 4 of 5 |
Gender Identity/Expression Score | 3.5 of 5 |
LGBTQ Policy Inclusion | 4 of 5 |
LGBTQ Support & Institutional Commitment | 3.5 of 5 |
LGBTQ Academic Life | 2.5 of 5 |
LGBTQ Student Life | 4 of 5 |
LGBTQ Housing & Residence Life | 5 of 5 |
LGBTQ Campus Safety | 2 of 5 |
LGBTQ Counseling & Health | 3.5 of 5 |
LGBTQ Recruitment & Retention Efforts | 4.5 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 |