What is Campus Climate

This chapter explores what colleges and universities can do to improve institutional support and services for students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ). Faculty, student service personnel, and campus administration will gain knowledge of the specific areas where LGBTQ students have additional challenges when compared to their heterosexual, cisgendered peers. The additional challenges from the academic literature included in this chapter are the following: unsupportive campus climates, marginalization in the classroom, increase in mental health needs, academic and career concerns, and unequal access to safe and supportive physical spaces. Implications for best practices will be summarized based on research and on the experiences of campuses which have employed more progressive campus policies and practices to assist in the retention and achievement of LGBTQ students.