OUTnumbered: Assessing the LGBTQ Campus Climate at the University of Nevada, Reno

Abstract

Before this assessment, no data existed to identify the number of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Queer (LGBTQ) students at the University of Nevada - Reno (UNR). An overall campus wide assessment for LGBTQ students had never been conducted. Furthermore, there was no data to assess the LGBTQ inclusiveness of the campus at UNR. This research was conducted at UNR from November 2016 to March 2017. Survey methods from the 2010 State of Higher Education for LGBTQ People were adapted for use in this assessment as well as questions from Campus Pride's 2009 National LGBTQ College Climate Survey. This assessment was anonymous and administered online to self-identified LGBTQ students that attended the University of Nevada, Reno. One hundred six respondents participated in the survey. Eighty-four percent of participants were undergraduate students compared to 16% graduate student respondents and 53% identified as female. Forty-two percent of respondents said that they had experienced discrimination and 57% said that it was because of their sexual identity. This assessment provides a detailed look at the climate of the University of Nevada, Reno with recommendations and steps that can be taken to advance equity and acceptance for LGBTQ students.