CWU Among Top 100 Campuses for LGBT Students

August 3, 2006

ELLENSBURG, Wash.- Central Washington University has been recognized as one of the nation's 100 best campuses for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) students according to The Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students. The book, to be released on Tuesday, Aug. 15, is the first comprehensive guide to the most LGBT-friendly campuses in the U.S.

CWU was cited for its positive environment, programs and services and the university's LGBT student organization.

"We are extremely honored that our campus was selected and recognized as an LGBT-friendly campus," says Leslie Webb, CWU Diversity Education Center director. "Campus leaders here have worked tirelessly to create a positive environment for all of our students. This distinction emphasizes the importance of providing necessary support to meet all students' needs - including those of LGBT students."

A total of 680 campuses were nominated for inclusion in the book. The top 100 were selected based, in part, on more than 5,500 online interviews with those institution's current LGBT students, faculty and staff regarding personal experiences and opinions about their schools.

Campus PrideNet, the leading national organization for LGBT and ally student leaders, with support from experts from the National Consortium of Directors of LGBT Resources in Higher Education, developed the interview questionnaire and also established grading criteria concerning institutional policies, commitment and support, academic life, housing, student life, counseling and health services, campus safety, and recruitment and retention efforts.

The book lists the top 100 schools in multiple indexes, such as region, state, type of institution and size. Related information - including about tuition, application deadlines, gay-affirmative policies, LGBT student groups, events and resources, and housing for LGBT students - is also included in the book.