The Center for LGBT Education, Outreach & Services actively fosters the academic success and personal growth of LGBTQ students and offers college wide services to enhance the campus community’s awareness, understanding and appreciation of LGBTQ people and themes. The work of the Center is for everyone. The Center strives to create a campus that is the best learning, working and living environment for LGBTQ people. It provides access to information, education, support, and services that value each person's unique diversity. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
Region: Mid-Atlantic | |
City/State: Ithaca, NY | |
Locale: Small City (25,000 to 100,000) | |
Student Population (FTE): 6,000 | |
In-State Tuition: $42,884.00 | |
Out-of-State Tuition: $42,884.00 | |
Institution Website: http://www.ithaca.edu |
Institution Type: |
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Master's College/University Baccalaureate College/University Private Institution 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

The Center for LGBT Education, Outreach & Services provides: an office staffed by a professional director and a Resource Room staffed by trained student staff and volunteers. It offers a welcoming and supportive environment for LGBTQ people and their allies, as well as books, videos, periodicals, and computer stations. Educational presentations and trainings on a variety of LGBTQ issues. Referrals, resources, and information on LGBTQ issues and concerns. Campus wide LGBTQ themed educational programs and social events. In addition, six LGBTQA-specific student organizations provide educational, social, and leadership opportunities on campus. Many LGBTQ and Allied people make their homes in the larger community here. Ithaca, New York is one of those great towns for LGBTQ folks. We have: • Open and Out City and County legislators, and City and County nondiscrimination and hate crimes laws inclusive of sexual orientation & gender identity • COLAGE groups at the elementary schools for kids of LGBT parents; GSA’s in middle & high school • An LGBTQ Family Building Program to help LGBT people in decisions about building and expanding their families, and a Transgender Services & Preventive Health Care clinic • Welcoming and affirming religious institutions • Sport leagues catering to LGBTQ and Allied people (including softball, bowling, basketball and others) • An array of LGBTQA owned restaurants, stores, and services, and much more
Featured Quotes

Why you'll love Ithaca College
The LGBTQ and Allied community at Ithaca College has been one of the most important aspects of my college career, and I am who I am today because of the love and support I’ve found from staff, faculty, and my fellow students on campus.
— 21-year-old, queer female, senior
To me, the LGBT Center was the safest and most comfortable place on campus when I was still "figuring things out" and learning more about myself. After becoming more comfortable in who I am, now I can see the college cares about me and my peers, and our LGBTQ communities are an important part of campus.
— 20-year-old bisexual student, junior
Ithaca College has given me a home and a family like I’ve never had before. Every day I’m encouraged to better myself and keep my head up, to go to class, to talk to my professors, to BE something through my interactions. I have been able to come out to my bio-family in a way where I felt comfortable and supported. The LGBT Center was the 1st place at Ithaca that I really knew I was welcomed and was happy to be here. My life, self-perception and attitude towards my orientation/identity has changed positively. I'm proud to call Ithaca College “Home."
— 19-year-old trans man, sophomore
I have been able to be my true self here. The community here makes me feel included and valued and loved.
— 18-year-old trans woman, first year student
I chose IC because of its LGBT friendly reputation and commitment, I’m so glad I did!
— 20-year-old gay male student, junior
Highlights & Organizations

Admissions

Admissions Office
Ithaca College Admissions Office
Office of Admission
Ithaca College
953 Danby Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
Phone: 800 - 429-4274 or 607-274-3124
Website: http://www.ithaca.edu/admission/
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.
Ithaca College
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 |