SHU Earns Four Out of Five Rating on Campus Pride Index

Score reflects measures the University has taken for LGBTQ+ inclusivity

Sacred Heart University earned a four out of five rating on the Campus Pride Index, a national listing of LGBTQ+ friendly colleges and universities. The high rating demonstrates the University’s active interest in LGBTQ+ issues and its ongoing commitment to inclusive excellence.

The Campus Pride Index is a tool aimed at helping colleges and universities improve safety and climate for people who are LGBTQ+, making the educational experience more inclusive, welcoming and respectful for all. It also provides prospective students, families and employees with a third-party perspective on institutions they are considering for education or employment.

“The Campus Pride Index is more than a college and university directory for aspiring students: it is also an excellent tool for colleges and universities to identify areas in need of improvement for LGBTQ+ experiences,” said Kyle Humphreys, manager of LGBTQ+ affairs in the Office for Inclusive Excellence.

Sacred Heart markedly expanded its inclusivity efforts two years ago when a steering committee was established to increase support for LGBTQ+ students, faculty and staff. The committee so far has tackled many initiatives, such as implementing safe space training for employees and students, advocating for all-gender restrooms on campus and assisting with the development of a gender-inclusive housing policy.

The University also created the Sexuality and Gender Equity (SAGE) Center, which serves as a safe and welcoming place for SHU community members to gather. The center hosts training, educational and social programs and maintains a list of resources pertaining to LGBTQ+ matters. To lead the SAGE Center and all LGBTQ+ initiatives, the chief diversity and inclusion officer established and recruited a manager of LGBTQ+ affairs.

“I am excited about this rating, which affirms significant work over the last year to improve experiences for our LGBTQ+ Pioneers,” said Maurice Nelson, chief diversity & inclusion officer in the Office for Inclusive Excellence. “However, I want to acknowledge that our score does not mean every LGBTQ+ identifying individual feels or experiences ‘four out of five stars.’ Notwithstanding, our score is a good indicator that we are making great progress on our inclusive excellence journey and that will only continue to improve.”

Although proud of how far the University has come, Humphreys and Nelson are always looking for ways to further improve LGBTQ+ inclusivity. They hope to extend the SAGE Center’s reach to benefit more students of gender and sexual minorities and to engage with student athletes who need LGBTQ+ support.

“A four out of five is an excellent rating and is particularly noteworthy for a Catholic institution,” Humphreys said. “It is continued evidence of Sacred Heart University’s commitment to the Catholic intellectual tradition. This score speaks to how well our institutional policies and practices include LGBTQ+ people.”