2010 LGBTQ Career Center Certification Report

2010 LGBTQ CAREER CENTER

CERTIFICATIONREPORT Enhancing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer specific resources in academic career centers across the United States.

FOUNDING PARNTER

1-866-571-LGBT (5428) info@outforwork.org www.outforwork.org

1325 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Suite 700, #702 Washington DC 20005

1

CONTENTS

2

METHODOLOGY

3

SURVEY

4

SCORING

CONTENTS CONTENTS 5

GENERAL FINDINGS

6

GOLD LEVEL

7

SILVER LEVEL

8

BRONZE LEVEL

10

SUMMARY

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INDEX

METHODOLOGY Since its inception, OUT for Work (OFW) has provided Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) students with guidance in transitioning from academia to the workforce. However, it soon became clear that adequate tools and resources addressing the challenges faced by LGBTQ students are not always available at university career centers. In the fall of 2009, OFW launched the OUT for Work Career Center Certification Program (CCCP). The CCCP is the first program designed to assess the quality, quantity and availability of career resource materials for LGBTQ students. The success of this program will help students find the best workplace environment and career path, regardless of their sexual orientations or gender identities.

The primary goal of the CCCP is to provide academic institutions and students with an evaluation of the support available to LGBTQ students facing employment and workplace challenges.

Since 2005, OFW has informally collected data from conference attendees investigating if and from where they had ever received LGBTQ specific workplace resources. Unfortunately, but perhaps not surprisingly, few students reported being satisfied with the amount and availability of LGBTQ specific materials preparing them for the transition to the workplace after graduation.

In spring 2010, the OFW staff and advisory board revised the survey in order to conduct a formal assessment of career center practices. The questions are specific to issues that should be addressed to support LGBTQ students.

THREE MAIN SURVEY OBJECTIVES Gauge the current tools and available resources focused on how to be “out” in the workplace.

Assess the quality and quantity of LGBTQ materials available to students A ssess the willingness of career centers to host or attend LGBTQ & Ally career conferences In November 2009, OFW identified 1,500 academic institutions with active LGBTQ student organizations on campus. To increase responses, the LGBTQ student group advisors and contacts were also sent the survey and encouraged to send the survey to their career centers. The surveys were mailed to career center directors or staff depending on previous contact with the institution. To date, 108 colleges and universities have completed the survey.

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This program is a great beginning to getting LGBTQ specific resources into career centers across the United States and OUT for Work is very excited about the future of this initiative.

SURVEY

n

e act Nam er Cont Name t n e C r Caree /University er ts. atemen Colleget Phone Numbess wing st o ll c r o a d f t d n e A th Co t E-mail each of t Each) Contac (1 Poin next to : ” g o in “N d r r ga es” o ents re write “Y to stud policies n Please io t a m n r ide info -discriminatiobenefits s and n ou prov terview in in 1) Do y _ a) LGBTQ Nopartner healthity training t u oming o ers ______ ) Domestic n in div ges of c _______ b LGBT inclusio s and challen _______ c)) The difficultie phlets) _______ d resumes or pam u and ask / d n a , s yo yer come to urces (fl ve resoLGBTQ if theyhe workplace? a h r e t n reer ce ents who are uld be out in t your ca o esentaud d/or pr e as to 2) Doesyou give to st hether they sh n a s p o ksh tw advic esumes? that eld wor ns abou ing for iously h who are look ce or in their r questio v e r p r te ts workpla studen eer cen who our car d for LGBTQ be out in the y s a

H advisor rces and ) e ic ld 3 u id m v o e o h d r u s a p o s ac tions r or not they with re and/ elor or a couns roviding themudent groups and e whethe v a h r t m p e nte Qs ts, n for th do. reer ce studen s LGBT your ca orks LGBTQ to the campu tact informatioork that they s e o D

) w w e n 4 y o e iv ll c t h a t a e c t d specifi s a represen please provid ipated in an struggle acting a lation. If yes, ey have partic als who u id u h iv t p d s o ie h in or p t activit ling wit counse list wha e n o areer n o ecific c one- me out? p e s id v Q o T r GB o co ou p ttend L 5) Do y the decision t nts to a e d u t with s t career ? ppor LGBTQ ially su OUT for Work c y n n a a n d fi as ou nde 6) Do y erences such ter atte eer cen r a conf c e h and/or r of t rk? alumni membe s OUT for Wo Q f f T a B t G s a hL 7) Has aerences such nts wit Q stude T conf B m G L rent ues fro ect cur lace iss n p n k o r c o u w Q o yo ionals?

8) D o LGBT e/link t nts? it profess s b e w e c d BTQ stu a specifi ter ou haveedicated to LG y o our cen D

) 9 ge d s that y m a r g your pa o pr s: e issue s or list mment BTQ workplac o c l a n dditio egarding LG make a Please e in the past r has don

no

3

SCORING

RANKING PERCENTAGE

12

= 100%

BRONZE

SILVER

GOLD

e act Nam t n o C r e er Cent ersity Name iv n ts.

U / e eg umber 11 =in92% atemen N t s e n g o h ollow tact P mail Address of the f h c ach) a e o tact EPoint E xt t e 1 ( n : ” 5 g o in N “ ard “Yes” or ts reg10 n e e = 83% it d r u w t ase n to s cies ormatioimination poli ts f in e and id prov -discr ealth benefi g nscored erviews o t N in Do you ) QLuestion Q 1 is h in in T r t B in G rtne g ou y tra points. _______ a )asD4om estic paion in diversit nges of comin b e s _ each part: inclu ______ (1Lpoint T for 9 = 75% nd chall ) GBand ulties a c d) fi _______ ca,b,c, if d e h T

) hlets) _______ d resumes r pamp and ask o / d n a , (flyers come to you ?

Questions 2, 3, 4, 5, y ources 8if th=e67% e s e r e v orkplac TQ 6, 7, 8, and 9 areeeach w r ha B e e G t h L n t e r c in reer who a ould be out capoint. worth 30 your 1 resentao udents p r o / d 2) Doesyou give to st hether they sh n t a s s a p e o ? tw rks=h58% advic that abaou ing for their resumes held w7ore lo k ionsare o total of 12 ly there s u io quesT e or in who a r prev points inathe r cente TQ students the workplac eCareer e r c who r B in you Certification advisor rces and d for LGshould be out e ic 3) HasCenter id m v e o d r u o y ca sp tion Program not the lor or a them with resoups and/ nse6 r orSurvey u e o h = 50% c t r g e g a in h t e n w nd e vid av enter h students, pro s LGBTQ studion for them a do. c r e e r a for LGBTQ Aepoint ormat campu at they s youisr cgiven works ntative to the ide contact inf d the work th 4) Doeach y ll a “yes” response, c an specifi s a represe please prov ipa 5ted=in42% ggle a , ic t and the total number of s g r e a in y t ho stru p f c I w e a . v n ls a a h io u t la divid s they r popucorresponds opoints ctivitie to g with in a n t li a e h s n w t ranking. liasdifferent ne cou reer 4 = 33% cific ca ne-on-o e out? e o p e s id v Q LGBT o com ou pro attend 5) Do y the decision t o t s t n with r t stude Q caree suppor for Work?

T y B ll G L ia c y 3 = 25% d an finan OUT o you nces such as attende r 6) D e t n e e c areer confer /or of the c r Work? r e b mni and m lu e o a f m T Q f f T U B O ta 2 n=ts17% as a s nces such as with LG 7) H e d e u r t e s f con GBTQ om sues fr urrent L is c t e c c e la n p con ork o you ionals?

GBTQ w 8) D = L8% 1 o t k s s n e li prof s? bsite/ 73 cific weGBTQ student e p s a er t have icated to L n u e o c y r o

9) D hat you ge ded 0 =st0% grams t ues: your pa o r p e iss 4 s or li mment BTQ workplac o c l a n io e addit t regarding LG se mak s

GENERAL FINDINGS 5 8% of school career centers said they provide information to students regarding LGBTQ Non-discrimination policies.

26% of school career centers said they provide information to students regarding domestic partner health benefits.

GOLD SCHOOLS = 4.62% OF TOTAL

47% of school career centers said they provide information to students regarding LGBT inclusion in diversity training.

6 9% of school career centers said they provide information to students regarding the difficulties and challenges of coming out in interviews and resumes.

SILVER SCHOOLS = 27.78% OF TOTAL

40% of school career centers said that they have resources that they do give to LGBTQ students if they approach and ask questions of the career center about whether they should be out in the workplace.

41% of school career centers said they have previously held workshops or presentations for LGBTQ students who are looking for advice as to whether or not they should be out in the workplace or in their resumes.

30% of school career centers said that they have a counselor or academic advisor who specifically works LGBTQ students, providing them with resources and acting as a representative to the campus LGBTQ student groups/population.

6 1% of school career centers said that they provide one-on-one counseling with individuals who struggle with the decision to come out.

14% of school career centers said they financially support students to attend LGBTQ-specific career conferences such as OUT for Work.

17% of school career centers said they have a staff member of the career center who has attended an LGBTQ career conference such as OUT for Work.

BRONZE SCHOOLS = 67.60% OF TOTAL

44% of schools said they connect current LGBTQ students with LGBTQ alumni and/or professionals.

43% of schools said they have a specific website/link to LGBTQ workplace issues from their career center page dedicated to LGBTQ students.

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SILVER LEVEL

GOLD LEVEL

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WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

Middletown, CT

“ While we are thrilled with our perfect score, we by no means feel that we have got it right yet. There is so much more that can and should be done to support our LGBTQ student population… Higher Education needs to constantly build support networks to guide all students to understand what life will be like when they leave.”

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Illinois State University Normal, IL Lycoming College Williamsport, PA Mills College Oakland, CA Northwestern Michigan College Traverse City, MI Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PA University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa Tuscaloosa, AL University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA Williams College Williamstown, MA

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Albion College Albion, MI Alfred University Alfred, NY

— Michael Sciola Director, Career Resource Center—Wesleyan University

11 10

Southwestern Law School Los Angeles, CA Wellesley College Wellesley, MA

The New School

Cheney,WA

“ Thank you to OUT for Work for ranking Eastern Washington University as a silver Career Center. At EWU, we recognize that there are unique needs and concerns for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and queer individuals in career development and hiring. Although we are not doing all that we would like to address these concerns, it is good to know that we are on the right track toward improving these services.”

— Krista Benson, Non-Profit/Public Service Program Coordinator, Career Services— Eastern Washington University

New York, NY

“ Our department was happy to participate in the OUT for Work Career Center Certification Program survey and are excited to learn that we received a gold ranking based upon our survey score. We look forward to working with OUT for Work to provide additional career resources for our LGBTQ students to assist them in their search for meaningful work and attaining career satisfaction.”

Macalester College St. Paul, MN Muhlenberg College Allentown, PA Purdue—West Lafayette Wast Lafayette, IN Springfield College Springfield, MA SUNY—Purchase Purchase, NY University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL

—Rosanne Sonatore, Director of Career Development—The New School

University of California Los Angeles

Eastern Washington University

Los Angeles, CA

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American University Washington, DC Champlain College Burlington, VT Clemson University Clemson, SC Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO Georgetown University Washington, DC Harvard University

Cambridge, MA

“ Harvard looks forward to working with OUT for Work and other organizations on ways to continue improving the services we provide for all students.”

— Robin Mount, Director Office of Career, Research and International Opportunities— Harvard University

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Lafayette College Easton, PA Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA SUNY - Albany (University of Albany) Albany, NY Texas Lutheran University Seguin, TX University of Houston—Main Campus Houston, TX

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BRONZE LEVEL

6

5

4

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Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA Dalton State College Dalton, GA Emmanuel College Boston, MA Hamilton College Clinton, NY Hanover College Hanover, IN Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg, PA Lakeland College Sheboygan, WI Marquette University Milwaukee, WI Metropolitan State College of Denver Denver, CO Moravian College Bethlehem, PA Nazareth College of Rochester Rochester, NY Roosevelt University—Chicago Chicago, IL Whitman College Walla Walla, WA

Bowling Green State University Bowling Green, OH Clark University Worcester, MA Green Mountain College Poultney, VT Lake Forest College Lake Forest, IL Louisiana State University— Baton Rouge Baton Rouge, LA Loyola University Maryland Baltimore, MD Northwestern University Evanston, IL Ohio University— Athens Athens, OH Penn State Law School University Park, PA Shepherd University Shepherdstown, WV Susquehanna University Selinsgrove, PA Sweet Briar College Sweet Briar, VA University of Maine School of Law Portland, ME

Aquinas College Grand Rapids, MI College of St. Scholastica Duluth, MN Framingham State College Framingham, MA Gettysburg College Gettysburg, PA Heidelberg University Tiffin, OH Kalamazoo College Kalamazoo, MI Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown, PA Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL SUNY—Oneonta Oneonta, NY University of Baltimore Baltimore, MD University of Houston—Downtown Houston, TX Washburn University Topeka, KS

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American International College Springfield, MA Arcadia University Glenside, PA Becker College Worcester, MA Cape Cod Community College Barnstable, MA Millikin University Decatur, IL “ We are excited to be a part of OUT for Work’s Career Center Certification Program. The survey helped us to identify the gaps in our existing services and to create a plan for improvement. We look forward to partnering with OUT for Work to build upon existing services for our LGBTQ population in order to ensure that they are empowered to make informed career choices that lead to a lifetime of professional success.”

— Pam Folger, Director, Career Center—Millikin University

Sarah Lawrence College Bronxville, NY University of New Orleans New Orleans, LA

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Anne Arundel Community College Arnold, MD Augustana College Rock Island, IL Cerritos College Norwalk, CA Flagler College St. Augustine, FL Lenoir Rhyne University Hickory, NC Manhattan School of Music New York, NY McDaniel College Westminster, MD University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage, AK

1

Alma College Alma, MI Cardinal Stritch University Milaukee, WI Durham Technical Community College Durham, NC Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, MN Newbury College Brookline, MA Northeastern State University Tahlequah, OK Suffolk County C. College—Ammerman Selden, NY SUNY— Oswego Oswego, NY University of Ottawa Ottowa, Ontario

0

Blueridge Community & Technical College Martinsburg, WV California Lutheran University Thousand Oaks, CA Cazenovia College Cazenovia, NY Curry CollEge Milton, MA MiraCosta College Oceanside, CA Mount Ida College Newton, MA Oberlin College Oberlin, OH Trinity Univeristy San Antonio, TX University of the Sciences in Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA University of South Alabama Mobile, AL 9 Western State College of Colorado Gunnison, CO

SUMMARY Initial findings from the OFW CCCP survey provide us with a baseline from which to move forward. Of the 108 career centers that responded to the survey, fewer than 5% of the schools were rated at the gold level, approximately 28% at the silver level and the remaining 67% were bronze level.

These results clearly show the lack of overall, comprehensive support that LGBTQ students are receiving from their university career centers.

While the results indicate a general lack of support for students, there is good news. Career centers are providing a select amount of resources to their students. When analyzing the questions individually, the results show a trend of at least providing students with some information to overcome certain challenges. Specifically, 58% of school career centers indicated that they do provide students with information about LGBTQ Non-discrimination policies and 69% reported that they provide students with information about the challenges of coming out in interviews and resumes. Furthermore, an impressive 61% of the schools reported providing students with individual counseling for those students who struggle with the decision to come out.

In 2009, OFW polled registered participants of its annual national conference, whether they had ever received LGBTQ specific tools and resources prior to attending. 80% responded no. Out of the 20% that responded yes, 78% indicated that they had received the information from previous OUT for Work presentations, workshops, or conferences. Only 6% indicated that they had received it from their career center. This data along with the results of the CCCP survey results reveals a discrepancy in having material available vs. dissemination to the students.

Next Steps OFW appreciates the number of career centers willing to participate in this initial stage of the CCCP.

As OFW moves forward in this program the goal is to increase the number of participating institutions and to gradually increase the complexity and expectations for achieving the gold level.

In addition, OFW is developing training materials and resources for career centers to improve the quality and quantity of support to LGBTQ students.

The survey results presented here should be considered an initial assessment of the support available to LGBTQ students. Current and future students, academic institutions as well as employers are all encouraged to use the CCCP survey results as a means to support the needs of LGBTQ individuals. Specifically, the CCCP will help current and future LGBTQ students when making decisions about choosing a college, writing a resume, and overcoming challenges in the workplace. Academic institutions should use the survey results as a basis to provide students with comprehensive resources which will provide the foundation for a smooth transition from school to work. Employers can also use these results to increase an oncampus presence and visibility, thereby demonstrating their commitment to improving LGBTQ concerns in the workplace.

OFW is optimistic that the level of participation from academic career centers will continue to grow and that through these efforts LGBTQ students will be able to face challenges with confidence and success.

COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES THAT RESPONDED TO SURVEY

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INDEX

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SCHOOL

LOCATION

POINTS

%

Albion College Alfred University Alma College American International College American University Anne Arundel Community College Aquinas College Arcadia University Augustana College Becker College Blueridge Community & Technical College Bowling Green State University Bucknell University California Lutheran University Cape Cod Community College Cardinal Stritch University Cazenovia College Cerritos College Champlain College Clark University Clemson University College of St. Scholastica Colorado State University Curry CoLLEGE Dalton State College Durham Technical Community College Eastern Washington University Emmanuel College Flagler College Framingham State College Georgetown University Gettysburg College Green Mountain College Gustavus Adolphus College Hamilton College Hanover College Harrisburg Area Community College Harvard University Heidelberg University Illinois State University Kalamazoo College Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Lafayette College Lake Forest College Lakeland College Lenoir Rhyne University Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge Loyola University Chicago Loyola University Maryland Lycoming College Macalester College Manhattan School of Music Marquette University Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Albion, MI Alfred, NY Alma, MI Springfield, MA Washington, DC Arnold, MD Grand Rapids, MI Glenside, PA Rock Island, IL Worcester, MA Martinsburg, WV Bowling Green, OH Lewisburg, PA Thousand Oaks, CA Barnstable, MA Milaukee, WI Cazenovia, NY Norwalk, CA Burlington, VT Worcester, MA Clemson, SC Duluth, MN Fort Collins, CO Milton, MA Dalton, GA Durham, NC Cheney,WA Boston, MA St. Augustine, FL Framingham, MA Washington, DC Gettysburg, PA Poultney, VT Saint Peter, MN Clinton, NY Hanover, IN Harrisburg, PA Cambridge, MA Tiffin, OH Normal, IL Kalamazoo, MI Kutztown, PA Easton, PA Lake Forest, IL Sheboygan, WI Hickory, NC Baton Rouge, LA Chicago, IL Baltimore, MD Williamsport, PA St. Paul, MN New York, NY Milwaukee, WI Cambridge, MA

8 8 1 3 7 2 4 3 2 3 0 5 6 0 3 1 0 2 7 5 7 4 7 0 6 1 8 6 2 4 7 4 5 1 6 6 6 7 4 9 4 4 7 5 6 2 5 4 5 9 8 2 6 7

67% 67% 8% 25% 58% 17% 33% 25% 17% 25% 0% 42% 50% 0% 25% 8% 0% 17% 58% 42% 58% 33% 58% 0% 50% 8% 67% 50% 17% 33% 58% 33% 42% 8% 50% 50% 50% 58% 33% 75% 33% 33% 58% 42% 50% 17% 42% 33% 42% 75% 67% 17% 50% 58%

RANKING Silver Silver BRONZE BRONZE Silver BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE Silver BRONZE Silver BRONZE Silver BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE Silver BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE Silver BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE Silver BRONZE Silver BRONZE BRONZE Silver BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE Silver Silver BRONZE BRONZE Silver

SCHOOL

LOCATION

POINTS

%

RANKING

McDaniel College Metropolitan State College of Denver Millikin University Mills College MiraCosta College Moravian College Mount Ida College Muhlenberg College Nazareth College of Rochester Newbury College Northeastern State University Northwestern Michigan College Northwestern University Oberlin College Ohio University - Athens Penn State Law School Purdue - West Lafayette Roosevelt University - Chicago Sarah Lawrence College Shepherd University Southwestern Law School Springfield College Suffolk County C. College - Ammerman SUNY - Albany (University of Albany) SUNY - Oneonta SUNY - Oswego SUNY - Purchase Susquehanna University Swarthmore College Sweet Briar College Texas Lutheran University The New School Trinity Univeristy University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa University of Alaska Anchorage University of Baltimore University of California Los Angeles University of Houston - Downtown University of Houston - Main Campus University of Maine School of Law University of Michigan University of New Orleans University of North Florida University of Ottawa University of Pennsylvania University of South Alabama University of the Sciences in Philadelphia Washburn University Wellesley College Wesleyan University West Chester University of Pennsylvania Western State College of Colorado Whitman College Williams College

Westminster, MD Denver, CO Decatur, IL Oakland, CA Oceanside, CA Bethlehem, PA Newton, MA Allentown, PA Rochester, NY Brookline, MA Tahlequah, OK Traverse City, MI Evanston, IL Oberlin, OH Athens, OH University Park, PA Wast Lafayette, IN Chicago, IL Bronxville, NY Shepherdstown, WV Los Angeles, CA Springfield, MA Selden, NY Albany, NY Oneonta, NY Oswego, NY Purchase, NY Selinsgrove, PA Swarthmore, PA Sweet Briar, VA Seguin, TX New York, NY San Antonio, TX Tuscaloosa, AL Anchorage, AK Baltimore, MD Los Angeles, CA Houston, TX Houston, TX Portland, ME Ann Arbor, MI New Orleans, LA Jacksonville, FL Ottowa, Ontario Philadelphia, PA Mobile, AL Philadelphia, PA Topeka, KS Wellesley, MA Middletown, CT West Chester, PA Gunnison, CO Walla Walla, WA Williamstown, MA

2 6 3 9 0 6 0 8 6 1 1 9 5 0 5 5 8 6 3 5 11 8 1 7 4 1 8 5 9 5 7 10 0 9 2 4 10 4 7 5 8 3 8 1 9 0 0 4 10 12 9 0 6 9

17% 50% 25% 75% 0% 50% 0% 67% 50% 8% 8% 75% 42% 0% 42% 42% 67% 50% 25% 42% 92% 67% 8% 58% 33% 8% 67% 42% 75% 42% 58% 83% 0% 75% 17% 33% 83% 33% 58% 42% 67% 25% 67% 8% 75% 0% 0% 33% 83% 100% 75% 0% 50% 75%

BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE Silver BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE Silver BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE Silver BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE Silver BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE GOLD Silver BRONZE Silver BRONZE BRONZE Silver BRONZE Silver BRONZE Silver GOLD BRONZE Silver BRONZE BRONZE GOLD BRONZE Silver BRONZE Silver BRONZE Silver BRONZE Silver BRONZE BRONZE BRONZE GOLD GOLD Silver BRONZE BRONZE Silver

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