Virginia State University (VSU), a historically black land-grant university in Petersburg, Virginia, this year committed to a diversity initiative geared toward creating a more inclusive campus atmosphere for LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and faculty.
According to Diverse: Issues In Higher Education, VSU had previously held a rating of 1.5 stars out of five in the Campus Pride Index, which measures how LGBT-friendly a college or university is. The university now plans to double its pride index rating by fall 2019 through its first campus-wide diversity and inclusion initiative.
In fall 2017, VSU President Makola M. Abdullah established an Advisory Board for Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer/Questioning Intersex Ally+ (LGBTQIA+) Inclusion to identify areas of improvement for the campus. A working group of students, faculty, staff, and community leaders will carry out the initiatives and cultural competency established by the board. The efforts include:
- Creating a diversity and inclusion map of all safe zone areas and gender inclusive restrooms;
- Installing gender inclusive restrooms;
- Improving the university’s campus pride index rating;
- LGBTQIA+ 101 and safe zone training for all faculty and staff; and
- Creating a review process of all university documents to ensure LGBTQIA+ culturally competent language.
“[VSU] strongly believes in fostering a community that identifies, values and respects differences of all people by creating a positive experience for students, faculty, staff and the community,” President Abdullah said. “Therefore, as a university, we recognized that the Trojan campus community should be a safe, affirming environment for each and every student.”
At a Glance
ACE Member Institution: Virginia State University
Initiative: LGBTQIA+ Diversity and Inclusion Initiative
Goal: Create a more inclusive campus culture where all members of the community can pursue a quality education in an affirming and welcoming learning environment.