For the past year, a group of Regis College faculty and staff have worked to assess the university’s LGBTQ+ inclusion policies and identify ways the Regis community can strengthen its mission of love, serve, and respect each other “without distinction.”
These efforts were recently recognized by the Campus Pride Index, a national LBGTQ+ benchmarking tool for colleges and universities, which awarded Regis College 3.5 out of five stars in the university’s first ever year on the index.
"The Campus Pride Index has been an incredible ally for Regis College as we work to increase LGBTQ+ inclusion,” said Jim Wildason, assistant director of residence life, who leads the taskforce. “They have provided the theoretical framework and guidance to help our community live its core value of care for all God's creation.”
The taskforce, a subcommittee of the Inclusive Excellence Council, brought together representatives from across the university who have integral roles in ensuring an inclusive community from human resources, to advising, to academic affairs, to campus safety, and beyond.
"Regis strives to be a welcoming and inclusive community to all, and I am so grateful for the tireless work of Jim Wildason and the Campus Pride Task Force to make it even more so for our LGBTQ+ community members,” said Audrey Grace, associate vice president for inclusive excellence and chief diversity officer. “We also know that there is a lot of work to be done and the Campus Pride Index provides us with a clear roadmap to full LGBTQ+ inclusion in all that we do.”
The Campus Pride Index is an overall indicator of institutional commitment to LGBTQ+-inclusive policy, program and practice. It provides a benchmarking tool to better understand policies, programs and practices that impact the quality of life for LGBTQ+ and ally people on campus.
Regis College is measured by eight LGBTQ+-friendly factors that provide a framework to evaluate the current environment and review recommended changes as well as a means of measuring future progress. Regis College received its highest marks, 4.5 of five stars, for LGBTQ+ Campus Safety and LGBTQ+ Counseling and Health.
The Regis College Police Department, under the leadership of Chief Craig Davis, receives training on anti-LGBTQ+ violence, in addition to ongoing mental health training. “Our recent training reinforced our core values in treating all with fundamental fairness, empathy and dignity regardless of their identities, beliefs, health status, or abilities,” said Chief Davis.
All counselors at Regis College receive training on LGBTQ+ student support and Counseling Services has worked to increase its LGBTQ+ representation on its staff. This past March it also launched Mosaic, a support group for LGBTQ+ students and led by LGBTQ+ counselors.
The Campus Pride Index also lauded Regis College for its educational, social, and co-curricular opportunities for LGBTQ+ students and their allies that emphasize a sense of belonging for all.
“In the past two years Regis has made incredible strides toward achieving inclusive excellence, from new education opportunities to more gender-inclusive restrooms to campus policy changes,” said Wildason. “I am very proud of the commitment Regis has made to LGBTQ+ inclusiveness and am excited to see the work we will continue to do in the future.”
Please visit LGBTQ+ @ Regis to learn more about the university’s commitments and for a list of on- and off-campus resources for LGBTQ+ community members. For those interested in supporting these efforts or if you have questions, email inclusiveexcellence@regiscollege.edu.
