Campus Pride commends the University of Iowa for becoming the first public institution & the second & largest, U.S. institution of higher education to ask students demographic questions on sexual orientation & gender identity in college admissions. Campus Pride is the nation’s leading educational organization for student leaders & campus groups working to create a safer college environment for LGBT students is praising the decision by administrators at the University of Iowa in Iowa City for including optional questions about students’ sexual orientation & gender identity in their college admission application. Shane Windmeyer, Campus Pride Executive Director stated, "The move by University of Iowa administrators to include these specific LGBT identity questions represent a growing paradigm shift in higher education to actively recognize out LGBT youth populations & to exercise greater responsibility for LGBT student safety, retention & academic success. For the first time, a major, public & national research university has taken efforts to identify their LGBT students from the very first moment those students have official contact with them. This is definite progress in the right direction — & deserves praise."
The new college admission application asks an optional question—"Do you identify with the LGBTQ Community?" — & offers "Transgender" as an additional gender option. The questions will be used to determine incoming students’ needs, track retention rates, potential interest in campus programs & to offer support resources. The optional identity question appears with other optional questions asking students about family connections to the university, parents’ educational background, interest in ROTC programs & interest in fraternities & sororities. GO IOWA!!
OUTTAKE VOICES™ NOW ON HUFFINGTON POST...:)
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