As a small liberal arts college, Carleton is committed to creating community, challenging assumptions, thinking critically, and helping students develop a greater understanding of both themselves and the world around them. This commitment naturally extends to encouraging LGBTQA+ students to explore and express their authentic selves and to expecting all students to respect each others' identities. Both through formal policies and programs and through campus culture, LGBTQA+ students are supported at Carleton.
Region: Midwest | |
City/State: Northfield, MN | |
Locale: Rural Community (less than 5,000) | |
Student Population (FTE): 2,000 | |
In-State Tuition: $47,460.00 | |
Out-of-State Tuition: $47,460.00 | |
Institution Website: https://apps.carleton.edu/campus/gsc/ |
Institution Type: |
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Private Institution Liberal Arts College Residential Campus |
LGBTQ Student Opportunities
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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.
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Commitment to LGBTQ Issues

Our Synopsis

Carleton provides lots of resources for LGBTQA+ students, especially for a small campus. The Gender and Sexuality Center has two full-time staff and 12 part-time student staff, supports two residential housing options (Queers & Allies House and Women's Awareness House), provides space for six student groups, houses a library, and organizes educational and social programs throughout the academic year. The Women's and Gender Studies Department offers academic courses and events related to gender, sexuality and intersecting identities. Throughout Carleton, both in and out of class, most LGBTQA+ students feel welcomed and supported.
Featured Quotes

Why you'll love Carleton College
I didn't come to Carleton knowing I was queer, but as I started to identify that way, I found a lot of supportive, interesting, wonderful people who welcomed me into the LGBTQ+ community.
— 20-year-old, queer bisexual woman, junior
Though small, Carleton has one of the most active LGBTQA centers, which, in addition to LGBTQA issues, is involved with healthy communities and relationships and sexual well-being. The programming is holistic and intersectional and you'll find that students think critically and completely about these issues.
— 21, trans and queer, senior
The queer community is open, welcoming, and everywhere. I feel extremely comfortable in my identity. People here are accepting and more than anything willing and excited to learn, especially about the experiences and identities of others.
— 21-year-old, queer male, New Englander
I feel more at home in terms of my identities at Carleton than I do at NYC Pride. Although we are a small group, we take pride and celebrate ourselves and others in a myriad of creative, inclusive, safe ways.
— 20, queer, cis female, junior
Whether you arrive at Carleton out, questioning, in the closet, super knowledgeable or bursting with questions, the LGBTQ community is welcoming, supportive and full of resources. I feel lucky to be a part of this community and proud to see so much representation of LGBTQ people across our campus.
— 21-year-old queer woman
Highlights & Organizations

Upcoming events
10/8/2014
National Coming Out Week
11/20/2014
Trans Day of Remembrance
1/16/2015
Rainbow Retreat
4/10/2015
Drag Show
4/24/2015
Pride Banquet
Admissions

Admissions Office
Carleton College Admissions Office
Office of Admissions
Carleton College
1 North College Street
Northfield, MN 55057
Phone: 800-995-2275
Website: http://go.carleton.edu/admissions
Admission Application Deadline:
November 15, January 15
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.
Carleton College
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 | 4.5 of 5 |
LGBTQ Academic Life | 4.5 of 5 |
LGBTQ Student Life | 4.5 of 5 |
LGBTQ Housing & Residence Life | 5 of 5 |
LGBTQ Campus Safety | 3.5 of 5 |
LGBTQ Counseling & Health | 3 of 5 |
LGBTQ Recruitment & Retention Efforts | 3.5 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 |