Montana State University-Bozeman




Campus Facts & Figures

Rating
CAMPUS PRIDE
INDEX
4
out of 5
Stars

The Campus Pride Index is an overall indicator of institutional commitment to LGBTQ-inclusive policy, program and practice. How is this calculated?

Region: West
City/State: Bozeman, MT
Locale: Small City (25,000 to 100,000)
Student Population (FTE): 16,902
In-State Tuition: $7,278.00
Out-of-State Tuition: $24,992.00
Institution Website: http://www.montana.edu/
Institution Type:
Doctoral/Research University
Master's College/University
Baccalaureate College/University
Public/State University

LGBTQ Student Opportunities

 

Colleges and universities want LGBTQ students, faculty and staff to be out and proud as part of the diversity of the campus community.  The Campus Pride Index provides campuses the opportunity to come out as LGBTQ-friendly and take responsibility for continually improving their LGBTQ campus climate. 
 
The Campus Pride Index features LGBTQ student opportunities by highlighting the positive work within higher education across the country. Prospective students and families may choose the best LGBTQ campuses searching the tool based on area of study, cost, location, type of campus and LGBTQ-inclusive policy, programs and practice for their college search.  
 
Reminder: Learn more by signing-up for FREE to participate in Campus Pride's LGBTQ-friendly National College Fair Program in eight different cities and the Campus Pride National Online College Fair.
 

Commitment to LGBTQ Issues

At Montana State University (MSU), there are numerous organizations, programs, and offices that provide support for LGBTQ+ students which include the Queer Straight Alliance (QSA), Out in STEM (oSTEM), and the Diversity and Inclusion Student Commons (DISC). In addition to offering resources and advocacy, the DISC coordinates a variety of programs and events. The Montana State University community has committed to strategic planning and goal setting around diversity and inclusion. A Diversity Council was created to address the priorities outlined in the Diversity and Inclusion Framework Report, which was created with input from hundreds of students, faculty, and staff. MSU also conducted an extensive campus climate survey to better understand and address the needs of students, faculty, and staff from underrepresented backgrounds. MSU has also seen support from organizations such as Residence Life, which created a gender-neutral housing option, and the Office of the Registrar, which coordinates a Chosen Name Project, among many other strong partners.

Our Synopsis

MSU offers many supports and resources for LGBTQ students, many of which are hosted by the Diversity and Inclusion Student Commons (DISC), an office that provides a welcoming space for students of all underrepresented identities. QSA holds annual events like the “Rainbow Ball” dance, the Trans Clothes Drive, and two drag shows. MSU has a very active “Out in STEM” chapter which promotes LGBTQ+ representation and sends students to the national oSTEM conference. The Chosen Name project allows students to use a chosen name in university documents and systems. MSU’s Safe Zone program educates faculty, staff, and students about gender, sex, sexuality, allyship, and undoing internal biases and heterosexism. Counseling and Psychological Services has counselors who specialize in LGBTQ+ counseling so that students feel comfortable navigating their identities. Medical Services offers individualized primary care, sexual health care for LGBTQ+ individuals, and hormone therapy. Residence Life offers a gender-neutral, suite-style living option inclusive of all gender identities. MSU has over 30 gender-neutral restrooms on campus. Since 2018, Campus Pride has named MSU the most LGBTQ+ Friendly University in Montana. Bozeman has been voted one of the four best cities in Montana for LGBTQ+ individuals, and it has a citywide non-discrimination ordinance.

Featured Quotes

Why you'll love Montana State University-Bozeman

MSU connected me to a supportive and flourishing LGBTQ+ community in Bozeman. Between the offered mentorship programs, the Diversity and Inclusion Student Commons, clubs like QSA and oSTEM, MSU has provided me every system of support I could ask for.

— 22 year old, non-binary senior

Over the last 8 years at MSU, I have never felt more comfortable to be out and open with my full personality than I do now. I have seen queer representation and activism grow immensely, and I am proud to be graduating this semester as a queer Bobcat.

— 26 year old, gay senior

I’ve been out for a long time, so I didn’t think I had that much more to learn. QSA and the friends I have made at MSU have taught me so much about the queer community that I never knew.

— 19 year old, queer freshman

During my time at MSU, I have felt supported in my academics and in my identity. I have gotten very involved in oSTEM and QSA and have found my chosen family through QSA, which has given me the support I needed in my academic career.

— 22 year old, queer female

I never expected to find such a vibrant and supportive queer community in Montana. MSU has provided resources like Safe Zone that have made me feel so much more at home than I thought I would be. QSA drag shows rule!

— 25 year old, graduate student, bisexual female

Highlights & Organizations

Admissions

Admissions Office


Montana State University-Bozeman Admissions Office

MSU Office of Admissions
Montana State University-Bozeman
201 Strand Union Building (SUB)
P.O. Box 172190
Bozeman, MT 59717

Phone: 406-994-2452
Website: http://www.montana.edu/admissions/

Admission Application Deadline:


Email Campus Admissions

Overall Campus Pride Index Score

The Campus Pride Index has a strong theoretical research foundation in LGBTQ current programs, practices and policies for safer, more inclusive campus learning environments. The index tool has been tested extensively since 2001 and recently updated with new, higher LGBTQ national benchmarks in 2015. 

The Campus Pride Index is a vital tool for assisting campuses in learning ways to improve their LGBTQ campus life  and ultimately shape the educational experience to be more inclusive, welcoming and respectful of LGBTQ and ally people. The index is owned and operated by Campus Pride, the leading national nonprofit organization for student leaders and campus groups working to create safer, more LGBTQ-Friendly learning environments at colleges and universities. Campus Pride commends the campuses participating in the index and their willingness to come out, be visible and actively advocate for improving higher education for LGBTQ people.

Note: Prospective students and families are strongly encouraged to research current state laws for any college/university you are considering. The Campus Pride Index is updated annually and only measures current campus policies, programs and practices. Find information about state laws targeting the LGBTQ+ population on the Movement Advancement Project’s Equality Maps at lgbtmap.org/equality-maps.

Montana State University-Bozeman
LGBTQ-friendly break-down by inclusion factors


Sexual Orientation Score
4 of 5
Gender Identity/Expression Score
4 of 5
LGBTQ Policy Inclusion
4 of 5
LGBTQ Support & Institutional Commitment
3.5 of 5
LGBTQ Academic Life
3.5 of 5
LGBTQ Student Life
3.5 of 5
LGBTQ Housing & Residence Life
4 of 5
LGBTQ Campus Safety
3 of 5
LGBTQ Counseling & Health
5 of 5
LGBTQ Recruitment & Retention Efforts
4 of 5
Sections greyed out mean the campus does not offer those services

LGBTQ-Friendly Report Card

LGBTQ Policy Inclusion

Non-discrimination statement inclusive of sexual orientation
Non-discrimination statement inclusive of gender identity/expression
Health insurance coverage to employees’ same sex partner
Accessible, simple process for students to change their name on university records and documents
Accessible, simple process for students to change their gender identity on university records and documents
Students have option to self-identify sexual orientation on admission application or post enrollment forms
Students have option to self-identify gender identity/expression on admission application or post enrollment forms

LGBTQ Support & Institutional Commitment

Resource center/office with responsibilities for LGBTQ students
Paid staff with responsibilities for LGBTQ support services
Ally program or Safe Space/Safe Zone
Actively seek to employ diversity of faculty & staff including visible, out LGBTQ people
Standing advisory committee that deals with LGBTQ issues
LGBTQ alumni group

LGBTQ Academic Life

LGBTQ studies program
LGBTQ specific course offerings
Actively recruit faculty for LGBTQ-related academic scholarship
New faculty/staff training opportunities on sexual orientation issues
New faculty/staff training opportunities on gender identity issues
LGBTQ faculty/staff organization

LGBTQ Student Life

LGBTQ & Ally student organization
LGBTQ & Ally graduate student organization
LGBTQ social fraternity/sorority
Regularly plans LGBTQ social activities
Regularly plans educational events on transgender issues
Regularly offers educational events surrounding intersectionality of identities for LGBTQ people
LGBTQ-inclusive career services

LGBTQ Housing & Residence Life

LGBTQ living space, theme floors and/or living-learning community
Roommate matching for LGBTQ students to find LGBTQ-friendly roommate
Gender-inclusive housing for new students
Gender-inclusive housing for returning students
Gender-inclusive/single occupancy restroom facilities in campus housing
Gender-inclusive/single occupancy shower facilities in campus housing
Trains residence life and housing staff at all levels on LGBTQ issues and concerns

LGBTQ Campus Safety

Procedure for reporting LGBTQ related bias incidents and hate crimes
Active ongoing training for hate crime prevention
Active outreach to LGBTQ students and student organization
Trains campus police on sexual orientation issues
Trains campus police on gender identity/expression issues
Supports victims of LGBTQ sexual violence and partner violence

LGBTQ Counseling & Health

LGBTQ counseling/support groups
Trans-inclusive trained counseling staff
Free, anonymous and accessible HIV/STI testing
LGBTQ-inclusive health information and safer sex materials available
Trans-inclusive student health insurance policy which covers ongoing counseling services
Trans-inclusive student health insurance policy which covers hormone replacement therapy

LGBTQ Recruitment & Retention

Annually participates in LGBTQ admission fairs
LGBTQ student scholarships
LGBTQ mentoring program to welcome and assist LGBTQ students in transitioning to academic and college life
Special Lavender or Rainbow Graduation ceremony for LGBTQ students and allies
Admission counselors receive LGBTQ-inclusive training and resources

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