Ohio University was ranked the second-most affordable LGBTQ-friendly online college in the country for 2018.
SR Education Group released a list Thursday of 25 schools, which are ranked by tuition cost, the amount of programs offered online and a campus pride index score. That score is based on reported and self-assessed data provided to the Campus Pride Index, a national non-profit organization working to promote LGBTQ-friendly learning environments.
“These recognitions are truly a combination of the great work being accomplished by OHIO’s LGBT Center and the inclusive, welcoming culture that Ohio University provides to everyone within our campus community,” OU President Duane Nellis said in a press release.
Rankings are based on a rating scale of one to five. OU received a four-star rating. The rating is determined through eight LGBTQ-friendly factors: policy inclusion, support and institutional commitment, academic life, housing, recruitment and retention, campus safety, counseling and health.
SR Education Group recognized OU for its preferred name and pronoun policy, which was approved in 2015 and provides definitions and guides for names and gender pronouns recorded for students.
“This policy helped to create a campus environment in which students can better learn and grow as people and professionals — affirming names and pronouns is a simple, yet important dynamic of a transformative learning environment,” delfin bautista, director of OU’s LGBT Center, said in a press release. “It’s also an example of OHIO’s ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusivity for all students.”
Since adopted by OU, the policy has been recognized throughout the state and country, according to the university press release.
“I’m proud to see a national spotlight being shone on the University’s commitment to addressing important LGBTQ issues and fostering a diverse, inclusive community,” Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Gigi Secuban said in the press release.
