Sterling College (VT)
IN-22: Campus Pride Index

Sterling College is LGBTQ-friendly. We are one of the country’s approximately 200 colleges and universities participating in the Campus Pride Index, the premier national LGBTQ benchmarking tool to create safer, more inclusive campuses. Sterling College earned 4 stars out of a total five stars for 2016-2017. Sterling College received especially high marks for its LGBTQ housing and residence life, recruitment and retention efforts, policy inclusion, and student life. Sterling College is committed to creating and maintaining a community which: is free from racism, sexism, homophobia, and other prejudices; is free from the weight of hate, discrimination and fear; promotes and fosters physical and emotional safety; and fosters civil and respectful dialogue. We believe that all people deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, and that our community is strengthened through diversity. Sterling College believes in living together in community. Together, we care for our campus and each other. We strive to be an educational community in which people of all backgrounds and identities feel at home, where our differences are embraced, and where individuals take responsibility for furthering the dignity of all. Sterling College recruits and engages LGBTQ students, faculty, staff, and senior leadership, as well as a strong base of allies. We provide a range of educational and social programs, academic courses, leadership development opportunities, and safe spaces for discussion and inquiry. From our Equity Club to gender inclusive housing to ally training to social justice classes to participation in Vermont Pride, Sterling College promotes and celebrates an engaged, inclusive community. Sterling College supports its students within a restorative justice model, prioritizing social justice and equity as core values. We offer a wide range of experiential opportunities for LGBTQ & Ally students. We have a campus-wide safe space policy, and social justice and ally trainings for faculty, students, and staff. We host an Equity Club where community members facilitate workshops and conversations around LGBTQ issues on campus and in the world at large. All community members self-identify their gender identity and sexual orientation. Gender neutral restrooms and accommodations are available throughout campus. Our community supports an intentional culture inclusive of all genders, sexualities, and intersecting identities. Community Advisors advise and advocate for all students with questions, problems, and crises and are a direct link between students and the Dean of Community. All Wellness staff, including Community Advisors, are specially trained to work within and actively support the LGBTQ student community. Our College Counselor is trained to support students around identity, coming out, and transition. Sterling also has weekly Community Meetings and Community Councils where all students, staff, and faculty come together, face-to-face, to discuss issues and concerns, and demonstrate our appreciation for each other. Coursework in social justice allow students to discuss LGBTQ issues in academic and community settings.