A recent article posted on the Chronicle of Higher Education called "Despite the Controversy, We're Glad We Asked" caught my attention immediately. The article presented a very important issue that I often believe is overlooked at institutions. Elmhurst College, affiliated with the United Church of Christ, placed a new question on their admissions application. The question raised quite a bit of controversy and placed Elmhurst in the media spotlight at a national level. Applicants now have the option to answer the following question: "Would you consider yourself a member of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community?"
Like many new undertakings, this one has been controversial within the community. When first reading the article, I assumed the controversy would be over whether or not the information could be used against students in considering them for admission. As I guessed, most articles addressed this issue by talking with the dean of admissions, Gary Rold, at Elmhurst. Mr. Rold stated that Elmhurst was not collecting the information with the intention on denying admissions to any student. In fact, the new admissions question will hopefully do the opposite. Within the article itself, most of the issues raised by commenter’s were not addressed. Instead most of the articles focused on identifying reasons why the college decided to include this optional question for their students.
Elmhurst decided to include this question for several reasons. First, they felt that this question created more diversity on their campus. By asking this question, they were allowing all students the ability to identify who they were. Second, by asking this question, they could track how many students applying to Elmhurst identify as LGBT. By knowing this information, they can take more steps in recruiting LGBT students. Elmhurst states that they are interested in creating more diversity on campus, which includes creating a larger LGBT community. Elmhurst also hopes to use this list to help identify campus resources for the LGBT students. Last of all, Elmhurst is interested in collecting this data in order to make LGBT students eligible for their enrichment scholarship.
Within the articles there were not a lot of arguments against this movement , but there were some reasons given by other colleges on why they have not yet taken such action. However, the comments left by many of the viewers on Inside Higher Education were somewhat surprising to me. One comment asked was whether or not colleges were going to start asking applicants if they were interested in bestiality. I was appalled that in a higher education forum someone would (once again) compare homosexuality to bestiality. Other comments discuss issues regarding whether or not students would lie about their sexuality in order to qualify for the scholarship, how unfair this is against heterosexuals (or “normal” people as stated by the commenter), why colleges need to focus on educating and not creating diversity, issues of liability, and issues with the way the question was asked.
Personally, I applaud Elmhurst for asking this question on their admissions application. In fact, I have forwarded it on to my colleagues so that we can consider doing something similar on our admissions application. Students who identify as LGBT are not often recognized as a minority group on campus and have to deal with issues around bullying and harassment. Per the article in the chronicle, a recent survey showed that 13% of gay and lesbian students and 43% of transgendered students fear their safety on their campus. Elmhurst is doing great things for LGBT students by identifying them and their needs in the admissions application. This acknowledgment/recognition is not something the LGBT community often gets. While some may feel uncomfortable "outing" themselves, others may feel this is their opportunity to be proud of who they are. The fact that they are also eligible for a scholarship is fantastic. I do believe that questions like this will become the norm in the future and hope that many will follow in the footsteps of Elmhurst.
I think that by even acknowledging the presence of this student population on a college application, Elmhurst is doing an excellent job at setting the tone and sending a message that "you are welcome here". I would assume that if a student (or let’s face it, a parent) completing the application may think twice about applying if their "values" conflict. From an admissions perspective, I would be chocked that a college would be willing to lose applicants for that reason, however. I am very interested in watching to see if this is a trend that catches on!
ReplyDeleteLori, thanks for the post. Despite a lot national attention on gay marriage we don't actually spend a lot of time on our college campuses talking about the needs that this student population may have - in the same ways we talk about the needs of men or women or first generation college students. For example one of the issues that has come up consistently on our campus is around restrooms - we don't have any gender neutral restrooms on our campus. I think if you identify with either a male or female gender its easy to forget or not even consider that not everyone does identify that way.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate what the college is attempting to do - I would also be interested to see what they find out. I imagine that those students who aren't ready to declare that part of their life won't ---years ago I had a student who told me that she didn't list that she was first in her family to go to college because she was afraid the college would look down on her - so I would imagine until students can see over time that this information won't be used against them you may see students opt out. None the less I do applaud Elmhurst for working towards greater inclusitivity on their campus.
This is a positive step in creating an inclusive community and in looking at how and why students may or may not be applying. Allowing students to identify as they choose seems like and empowering step on a lot of levels. I know that many schools are struggling with how to become more aware and supportive of Transgender issues in student housing and in other areas on campus. This seems like a great way to begin this process and improve the way we work with all students.
ReplyDeleteI am also curious about the impact it will have on admissions, and what students and families will have to say about it. As the "bestiality" comment to the article illustrates we have a long way to go in terms of truly creating the inclusive and supportive environment we generally claim to champion. Thanks for sharing the article and your thoughts!
Timely post Lori. I have been approached by a Student Services Dean who asked me to create a "work around" in Banner via "preferred name" to identify students in transition from one gender to another because the student’s name has change in the process albeit not complete. Although it is a very creative suggestion, feasible in terms of the technology, a work around avoids having an open institutional discussion about the subject. I would rather have the conversation on how to be supportive and inclusive. Elmhurst is one step ahead in their approach if you ask me and the categories as defined would be easy to implement. And...in the absence of clear policy or government approved labels, it might be a good idea to ask LGBT students what they prefer to be labeled. :) Yes, that is sarcasm.
ReplyDeleteYolanda, I agree with you 100%, but sometimes, we have to take small steps. By creating this work-around, you are helping to affirm a student's self-identity, and that's always a good thing. I believe that the open institutional discussions are very necessary...and are on the near horizon. I sometimes feel that some of the "old guard" of upper administrators and boards of trustees are afraid to discuss this topic. As these discussions and work-arounds become more commonplace, they will see that the "threat" posed by this conversation is completely empty.
ReplyDeleteThere is always some risk in the first institution to do something…. controversial. I hope the information is used for good and not ill intended. It is good to see a campus be so supportive and come “out” for students. It will be interesting to watch over time how the application is received. I am curious if this will be documented in Banner or the student’s information/record.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to the comment on gender neutral bathrooms-check out University of Oregon or Colorado State University(rec center).