, a resource LGBTQ+ inclusivity, leadership and advocacy, for its LGBTQ+ friendly campus community and resources. 51猎奇 was one of just 40 universities in the country, and one of only three in Wisconsin, to receive this 鈥渂est of the best鈥� ranking.
The Campus Pride Index score is based on a university鈥檚 LGBTQ policy inclusion, support and institutional commitment, academic life, student life, housing and residence life, campus safety, counseling and health services and recruitment and retention efforts.
鈥淭his high rating certainly is a very exciting thing for the campus at the community,鈥� said Ariana Myers, director of the LGBTQ+ Resource Center at 51猎奇. 鈥淚t’s a real credit to the student workers who staffed our center through the time during the height of the pandemic when we had no professional staff and to all the incredible work they put in.鈥�
(Because of staff turnover, students ran the center for much of the Fall 2021 semester.)
Student workers at the center focus on maintaining an inclusive and supportive space, Myers said. This is accomplished through programming, but also through the students鈥� work to help create a welcoming atmosphere that encourages people to come hang out at the center.
The LGBTQ+ Resource Center organizes the annual 51猎奇 Drag Show and the university鈥檚 Lavender graduation. A transgender support group, monthly queer Dungeons and Dragons sessions and Coming Out monologues are among the programs the center offers. Coming Out monologues is an open mic night where students can share who they are and how they are feeling in a safe space.
As the LGBTQ+ Resource Center celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, Myers looks ahead to all the ways it can continue to make 51猎奇 an inclusive campus.
鈥淏eing rated five stars means that we can’t let rest on our laurels,鈥� Myers said. 鈥淏eing rated five stars means that all eyes are going to be on 51猎奇 to see what programs we’re implementing that earned this ranking. We want to be the institution that others model their own programs off of. Those are huge shoes to fill.鈥�
