VCU news

By Cassie Williams Jones

Shane Windmeyer, an author and national leader in gay civil rights, spoke to students, faculty, staff and administrators at Virginia Commonwealth University and the VCU Medical Center on Sept. 18.

Hosted by the VCU Division of Inclusive Excellence and Equality VCU, Windmeyer delivered the keynote address at two town hall meetings, one on each of VCU’s campuses, where he discussed common issues LGBT students and employees face on college campuses across the country.

“The idea of change is difficult for individuals, much less large institutions,” Windmeyer said. “Getting institutions to change begins with individuals.”

Windmeyer is co-founder and executive director of Campus Pride, the only national organization for student leaders and campus organizations working to create a safer college environment for LGBT students. The organization developed the Campus Pride Index, a national listing of LGBT-friendly colleges and universities based on ratings, in an effort to assist campuses in improving campus life and the educational experience for LGBT students.

Schools voluntarily participate in the scoring, receiving overall ratings on a scale of 1 to 5. The index assesses colleges in eight LGBT-friendly factors, including: policy inclusion; support and institutional commitment; academic life; student life; housing; campus safety; counseling and health; and recruitment and retention efforts.

“These meetings are more than just events,” said Beverly Warren, Ed.D., Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “They are a dialogue, an assessment, a starting point.”

VCU first participated in the index in 2011, receiving an overall score of 3 out of 5, with highest rankings in the areas of student life and counseling and health. This has served as a benchmarking tool for the university, providing guidance to what areas need the most work.

Windmeyer is the author of “The Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students,” the first-ever college guide profiling the 100 best LGBT-friendly campuses. He is also the editor of “Brotherhood: Gay Life in College Fraternities” and co-editor of the books “Inspiration for LGBT Students & Allies,” “Out on Fraternity Row: Personal Accounts of Being Gay in a College Fraternity” and “Secret Sisters: Stories of Being Lesbian & Bisexual in a College Sorority.”

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