LGBT Resources
Puget Sound Ranked Top 20 Campus for LGBT Students Nationwide
August 11, 2006
The University of Puget Sound was recognized as one of the 20 Best Campuses for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) students in the nation, according to the Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students, the first comprehensive campus guide to highlight the 100 most LGBT-friendly campuses in the United States.
Long known for its beautiful campus and rigorous academic standards, University of Puget Sound has gained recognition for its commitment to creating an open and positive learning environment for students of all religious, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and sexual orientations. Puget Sound was the only university in Washington state to make the Advocate’s top 20 ranking.
Campuses were selected and ranked based on results from more than 5,500 online interviews with LGBT students, faculty, and staff from colleges and universities across the country. Respondents evaluated each campus in eight categories of LGBT-inclusive policies, program, and practices. The interview strategy, criteria, and questionnaire were developed in collaboration with the National Consortium of Directors of LGBT Resources in Higher Education.
The Top 20 colleges rose above expectations as pioneering institutions in higher education, exemplifying outstanding accomplishments for LGBT progressiveness.
The Advocate College Guide for LGBT students was released August 1, 2006 and profiles 100 colleges and universities from across the country that offer resources and create a positive living and learning environment for LGBT students. For more information about Campus PrideNet or to order a copy, visit www.campuspride.org.
As a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or ally student, you may have additional questions. Sometimes answers may be difficult to find, or you might just not be sure what questions to ask. We've gathered several resources to try to make it easier to find support at Puget Sound. We have some additional resources for students looking for an LGBT-friendly campus.
B-GLAD - LGBTA Student Organization
B-GLAD is the University of Puget Sound's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and straight ally alliance.
"As Is" - Confidential support group held weekly and cosponsored by Counseling, Health, and Wellness.
Contact: Yoshiko Matsui
Lavender Graduates Celebration
The annual Lavender Graduates Celebration has become an enriching part of campus life at Puget Sound. The Lavender Graduates Celebration is a time to recognize and applaud the unique challenges and successes of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender students and their allies. Traditionally, the Celebration honors graduating students, honorary LavGrads who are faculty, staff, or administrators who are chosen to be recognized as allies to the LGBT community, and any Puget Sound alumni who chose to be part of the event.
The 2007 event, which will be the eighth annual Lavender Graduates Celebration, will held in the Rotunda on Saturday, May 12th at 3:30pm.
Please follow the links below if you are a graduating senior or returning alum who would like to be a part of the program:
Graduating Senior Form
Alum Form
Multicultural Student Services
Contact: Yoshiko Matsui
The office of Multicultural Student Services (MCSS) is designed to support the needs of students of color; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning students; women; and students of various spiritual backgrounds. MCSS also coordinates the Student Diversity Center where B-GLAD and other multicultural student organizations frequently meet.
Employee Domestic Partnership Benefits
from the Education Benefits Policy:
"5. Conditions Applicable to Education Benefits.
A partner is defined as one to whom a faculty or staff member is legally married or as one with whom the faculty or staff member is in a same-sex domestic partnership (not being legally permitted to marry) demonstrated by sharing the same regular and permanent residence; sharing an ongoing, personal and committed relationship which they have with no other and which is comparable to marriage; being jointly responsible for each other's welfare and the maintenance of their household. Marriage or domestic partnership will be certified through an Affidavit of Marriage or Domestic Partnership."
In other words, those people who satisfy the University's definition of a domestic partner get the same benefits and treatment as a spouse.
The Puget Sound LGBT Leadership Scholarship Fund was established in 2000 in order to recognize students who have demonstrated leadership and involvement in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community at the University of Puget Sound (including, but not limited to, participation in BGLAD, community organizations, and activist groups). The purpose of the scholarship is to complement successful academic experiences by providing financial support for student leadership and involvement in the LGBT community at Puget Sound. The committee welcomes applications from students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or as allies.
Career and Employment Services LGBT Resources
Puget Sound's office of Career and Employment Services put together a page of links relating to LGBT issues, job postings, and organizations.
