Abstract
This chapter explores what colleges and universities can do to improve institutional support and services for students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ). Faculty, student service personnel, and campus administration will gain knowledge of the specific areas where LGBTQ students have additional challenges when compared to their heterosexual, cisgendered peers. The additional challenges from the academic literature included in this chapter are the following: unsupportive campus climates, marginalization in the classroom, increase in mental health needs, academic and career concerns, and unequal access to safe and supportive physical spaces. Implications for best practices will be summarized based on research and on the experiences of campuses which have employed more progressive campus policies and practices to assist in the retention and achievement of LGBTQ students.
TopBackground
The higher education landscape can oftentimes be complex for college students to navigate. One of the goals of higher education is to develop students as both experts and leaders in their respective fields of study. It is imperative for higher education institutions to be aware of the experiences of LGBTQ students and the strategies institutions can implement to improve the pathways for LGBTQ student development. To have a clear and better understanding of LGBTQ students in higher education, researchers suggest that scholars, administrators, and educators should pay particular attention to variability in campus climate (Fine, 2012; Garvey, et al., 2017). Campus climate is an integral component of student experiences in higher education and it can be defined as “the cumulative attitudes, behaviors, and standards of employees and students concerning access for, inclusion of, and level of respect for individual and group needs, abilities, and potential” (Rankin, 2005, p. 17).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Campus Climate: The experience of individuals and groups on a campus.
Pedagogy: The instructional methods faculty use to teach students.
LGBTQ: Pertains collectively to people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (or questioning their gender identity or sexual orientation).
Higher Education Institution: Colleges and universities which grant postsecondary degrees, such as bachelors’ and masters’ degrees.
Inclusive Environment: An environment in which all feel welcomed to exist and participate in activities and processes.
Gender Neutral: Refers to the use of objects, such as restrooms and housing, by any gender.
Sexual Minority: Refers to a group of people whose sexual identity, orientation, or practices differ from the majority of the surrounding society.