Ohio University’s diverse, inclusive culture was recognized on a national scale when SR Education Group recently named OHIO one of the most LGBTQ-friendly online colleges in the nation for 2018.
The University was also ranked as the second-most affordable LGBTQ-friendly online college in the country. Kennesaw State University was listed at number one.
“These recognitions are truly a combination of the great work being accomplished by OHIO’s LGBT Center and the inclusive, welcoming culture that Ohio University provides to everyone within our campus community,” said Ohio University President M. Duane Nellis.
A University committed to equality, inclusiveness and affordability
SR Education Group noted within each of its rankings that, in addition to OHIO’s affordable tuition, “equality and inclusiveness are taken seriously at Ohio University, by on-campus and online students alike.”
“I’m proud to see a national spotlight being shone on the University’s commitment to addressing important LGBTQ issues and fostering a diverse, inclusive community,” said OHIO’s new Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Gigi Secuban. “I look forward to helping the campus community advance such positive progress in my new role at OHIO.”
SR Education also lauded the University’s Preferred Name and Pronoun Policy, which provided definitions and guides regarding the names and gender pronouns recorded for students. The important policy took effect in June 2015; it has been recognized state-wide and beyond in recent years.
delfin bautista*, director of OHIO’s LGBT Center, said that although OHIO was not the first school to have a name policy, it was one of only a few schools whose policy includes pronouns — a pioneering, and vital, aspect.
“This policy helped to create a campus environment in which students can better learn and grow as people and professionals — affirming names and pronouns is a simple, yet important dynamic of a transformative learning environment,” said bautista. “It’s also an example of OHIO’s ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusivity for all students, those who attend one of our physical campuses as well as those in our online community. OHIO strives to live into respect and affirmation at all levels of the University.”
The Top LGBTQ-Friendly Online Colleges list included 60 accredited institutions that have adopted policies and/or practices that demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity for LGBTQ students and offered at least 15 online degree programs.
A total of 25 schools were listed within SR Education Group's 2018 most affordable, LGBTQ-friendly online colleges and universities list. SR Education Group generated the list based on a college’s online affordability and their commitment to LGBTQ-friendly institutional policies and practices.
Both rankings also took into account data from the Campus Pride Index, which rates schools based on a five-star scale (OHIO received a four-star rating) and incorporates eight LGBTQ-friendly factors, including:
- LGBTQ Policy Inclusion
- LGBTQ Support & Institutional Commitment
- LGBTQ Academic Life
- LGBTQ Student Life
- LGBTQ Housing
- LGBTQ Campus Safety
- LGBTQ Counseling & Health
- LGBTQ Recruitment & Retention Efforts
According to its web site, the Campus Pride Index has been the premier LGBTQ national benchmarking tool for colleges and universities to create safer, more inclusive campus communities since 2007.
A complete listing of, and methodology for, SR Education Group’s most LGBTQ-friendly and affordable online colleges is available online:
Best LGBTQ-Friendly Online Colleges: https://www.guidetoonlineschools.com/online-schools/lgbtq-friendly
Most Affordable LGBTQ-Friendly Online Colleges: https://www.onlineu.org/most-affordable-colleges/lgbtq-friendly
*delfin prefers the lowercase form of their name and gender-neutral pronouns.