The mission of the Pride Center at Bridgewater State University is to support LGBTQIA+ and ally students, and to foster a campus climate of inclusion and equity. 14% of BSU students openly identify as LGBTQIA+, and we offer a variety of services and resources that promote their success. No matter how you identify, the BSU Pride Center is here for you!
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: New England | |
| City/State: Bridgewater, MA | |
| Locale: Small City (25,000 to 100,000) | |
| Student Population (FTE): 10,000 | |
| In-State Tuition: $11,055.00 | |
| Out-of-State Tuition: $17,195.00 | |
| Institution Website: http://www.bridgew.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
Here are just some of the many items that make Bridgewater State University one of the leading colleges and universities for LGBTQIA+ students : Lived Name - You can have your Lived Name (aka Preferred Name) and pronouns displayed wherever legal names are not required (such as class rosters, ID card, email addresses, diplomas, and more). Living on Campus - BSU offers housing assignments based on gender identity in our more traditional housing spaces. We also offer gender-free housing, which allows students of different gender identities to share a space. - Our Lavender Living Learning Community allows students to build community, foster identity development, and increase their knowledge of LGBTQ+ topics and scholarship while earning course credit as a co-sponsored LLC with the English Department. Restrooms - We have 44 publicly accessible Gender Inclusive single-occupancy restrooms on campus, which you can find listed on the Pride Center's website! Athletics - BSU has a Trans-Inclusive Athletics & Recreation policy, along with being the inaugural recipient of the NCAA Division III LGBTQ Athletics Department/Conference of the Year! LGBTQ Studies Minor - The LGBTQ Studies minor is designed to allow students to explore sexuality and sexual diversity by examining the history and present conditions of sexual and gender formation, as well as ideologies of sexuality, from a range of disciplinary perspectives.
Featured Quotes
Why you'll love Bridgewater State University
First of all, I would like to thank the Pride Center's director for the kindness and support towards (my student). It was comforting for me to see (my student) so relaxed and comfortable talking with the students in the Pride Center
— Parent of a transgender student
When I started my freshman year at Bridgewater State University, I found the Pride Center. It provides a safe and comfortable space that I could express myself openly without hiding. Having that kind of environment available to me on campus made transitioning to college very positive."
— Student
I was fearful that commuting was going to keep me from chances to find a niche on campus. Getting involved with the Pride Center has offered me countless opportunities to learn, teach others, and practice leadership skills.
— Student
The creation of the Pride Center was another reason why I came back to Bridgewater.
— Bridgewater employee and alumnus
Going to an event at the Pride Center really changed my college experience because I was shown there are resources for me. There are people who care.
— Student
Highlights & Organizations
Upcoming events
8/29/2023
Summer Pride!
3/27/2024
Queer Prom
12/11/2023
FriendsGiving
4/29/2024
Lavender Graduation
4/12/2024
GSA Day
Admissions
Admissions Office
Bridgewater State University Admissions Office
BSU Undergraduate Admissions
Bridgewater State University
Welcome Center
45 Plymouth Street
Bridgewater, MA 02325
Phone: 508-531-1237
Website: https://www.bridgew.edu/admissions
Admission Application Deadline:
Feb 15th - priority for Fall
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.
Bridgewater State University
LGBTQ-friendly break-down by inclusion factors
| Sexual Orientation Score | 4.5 of 5 |
| Gender Identity/Expression Score | 4.5 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Policy Inclusion | 5 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Support & Institutional Commitment | 4.5 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Academic Life | 3 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Student Life | 4.5 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Housing & Residence Life | 5 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Campus Safety | 3.5 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 |
