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Lisa Maurer, coordinator of the College's Center for LGBT Education, Outreach and services, described the selection process as being rigorous and said in-depth student interviews were conducted concerning the campus experience, as well as an evaluation of 20 key criteria regarding campus policies, programs and practices.
"We are both an academic center and a social center," Maurer said. "We provide a variety of services that include professional development opportunities, classroom presentations, one-on-one consultations, speakers, workshops and collaborations with other departments."
The College has two active LGBT student organizations. PRISM, a "queer-straight alliance dealing with sexuality, gender identity and gender expression," meets weekly. The College's other orientation organization, Created Equal, is designed to implement projects on a local, state and national level that addresses issues and provides solutions to problems facing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Queer/Question Ally (LBGTQA) people.
Residence director Mary Edwards-Ransom, who oversees Landon, Bogart, Lyon and Clarke halls - and also is a 2004 Ithaca College graduate - thinks that one of the reasons why the College has been named the top most welcoming campuses for LGBT students is because of the extensive educational efforts that span beyond all aspects of students' college life.
One example is the Gay Pride celebration, which extends from March to April. "Over the past few years, we've hosted speakers like Riki Wilchins, Judy Shepard and Robin Ochs," Edwards-Ransom said. "Education also occurs in our residence halls. The residential life staff is committed to making the halls a safe and welcoming place for all students and RAs frequently include LGBT awareness in their programming efforts."
The College fosters the kind of environment that allows individuals to be comfortable enough to grow and develop in new ways both in and out of the classroom, said Zack Ford, president of the student government association. "From the very first time I stepped foot on campus, I knew there was something special about it; and after three years on South Hill, I know that it was not just a marketing plow," said Ford, who is gay.
"I am, of course, quite biased when I say this - but IC is one of the warmest, most welcoming communities I've ever been apart of."
Although he says he his sexuality is only a small aspect of who he is, it is an important aspect he expresses through writing, which appears in the student government newsletter. "While I don't make it a regular topic of conversation," he said, "I hope that my acknowledgement of it has helped open the doors for other students to find themselves."
