For the second year in a row, Trinity College earned a five-star rating in an independent national assessment of LBGTQ-friendly colleges and universities.
Since 2007, the Campus Pride Index has functioned as an LGBTQ national benchmarking tool to help higher education institutions create safer, more inclusive campus communities, according to Crystal Nieves ’08, M’23, Trinity’s director of LGBTQ+ Life.
“This recognition is a reflection of incredible efforts by many members of the College community who together strive to make Trinity a campus where all can thrive,” said Anita A. Davis, vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion. “At Trinity, we demonstrate that we are strongest together—connecting over our shared values and celebrating our differences.”
The independent group recognized several major achievements at Trinity this year, including the expansion of access to all-gender restrooms on campus, the piloted Queer Peer Mentor program, and the launch of a President’s Campus Climate Task Force for LGBTQ+ Inclusion, said Nieves.
Trinity is continuing to expand access to all-gender restrooms in campus owned buildings, including the addition of all-gender restrooms in both the original and new portions of the Ferris Athletics facility, she said.
Additionally, Trinity launched a pilot year of the Queer Peer Mentor program, connecting incoming LGBTQ+ first-year students with upper-year LGBTQ+ student mentors. Program participants are now eligible for wellness program credits through the Trinity Plus curriculum.
“This new program will help us provide new leadership development opportunities for existing students and offer better transitional support services to the incoming LGBTQ+ students in each class,” said Nieves. “It’s a very exciting endeavor and is only possible with the growing number of out LGBTQ+ students joining our community each year and the commitment of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to support these needs.”
Another effort recognized this year was the President’s Campus Climate Task Force for LGBTQ+ Inclusion. Officially established in 2020, the task force formed a committee focusing on supporting LGBTQ+ members of the campus community. The committee will propel the College forward on further improving the student and staff experiences at Trinity, said Nieves.
An extensive annual Campus Pride Index Assessment completed by Nieves’ office surveyed a range of aspects surrounding student life. They included College policies, housing options, classroom protocols around the use of names and pronouns.
Prospective students, families, employees, and those interested in higher education use the free online database to search for LGBTQ-friendly colleges that are dedicated to improving the academic experience and quality of campus life, Nieves said. Since Trinity began participating in the index more than 10 years ago, the College’s rating has steadily increased from 3.5 to 5.
