Community Building
Inclusion & Support
Bringing together the transgender community and creating a welcoming and supportive environment is an important part of inclusivity. The schools in these examples accomplish this in many different ways. For example, Penn State University has a mentorship program for its LGBTQ undergraduates whereby LGBTQ graduates personally serve as mentors to help them with their experiences. This is reinforced by a three-day retreat with conversations and activities to get LGBTQ students prepared for daily life on campus. Similarly, the different branches of the University of California have banded together to establish an inter-campus retreat for their trans/gender-queer and gender-questioning college students. At Princeton, LGBTQ students engage in social exchange right from the comfort of their own rooms. Through its campus-wide LGBTQ social-networking platform, Q’nnect, students can connect with each other, share their own thoughts and take part in conversations online.
Centers & Student Groups
Support does not end there though. All of the schools in these examples have well-established LGBTQ centers or student groups. The LGBTQ center at UPenn, for instance, is located in its own two-story building where both LGBTQ events are held as well as many other campus activities. Students cannot only access these centers and groups but many of them the opportunity to actively participate in leadership roles. This is true of the queer community at California Polytechnic State University-Pomona where it is mostly student-based and student-run. This is also the case at NYU where they have a trans student group called the T-Party. Additionally, in schools like University of Vermont, LGBTQA students serve as orientation leaders, out athletes, RAs, and leaders in groups across campus.
Social Activities
These centers, groups and leaders often organize social activities and other events to bring the community together in fun ways. One example which sets a high bar is the University of Arizona. Every year the school holds a completely free prom that is open to everyone on campus. The LGBTQ community is highly involved in this and strives to make this a comfortable, positive, and fun time for trans students to let go and freely express themselves. Another example of a fun and creative endeavor, sponsored by Hampshire College, is an LGBTQ-themed art and writing competition. The winner is awarded money through the KarMel Scholarship.