We promote diversity and inclusion throughout the College of the Holy Cross. We advocate for a community where multiculturalism, diversity, and inclusion are imbedded in the fabric of the College. Diversity encompasses multiple dimensions including, but not limited to, race, culture, nationality, ethnicity, religion, ideas, socio-economic class, geographic origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, and age. Building diverse communities of faculty, staff, and students who are thriving and inclusive increases the College's capacity for excellence in teaching, learning, and research. With a foundation deeply rooted in the Jesuit tradition, we celebrate the relationship between diversity, education, religion, and social justice transformation.Coupled with our pursuit of academic excellence and in accordance with our Mission, the College of the Holy Cross is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in all facets of our community. As a Jesuit, Catholic liberal arts college, with distinctive values and commitment, we honor differing perspectives and life experiences which foster meaningful discourse and dialogue; and we encourage students, faculty, staff, and alumni to think critically about unjust social structures and take action toward change.
Colleges & Universities
The Campus Pride Index is an overall indicator of institutional commitment to LGBTQ-inclusive policy, program and practice. How is this calculated?
| Region: New England | |
| City/State: Worcester, MA | |
| Locale: Medium City (100,000 to 500,000) | |
| Student Population (FTE): 3,000 | |
| In-State Tuition: $60,000.00 | |
| Out-of-State Tuition: $60,000.00 | |
| Institution Website: http://holycross.edu/about-holy-cross |
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Institution Type: |
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| Private Institution Liberal Arts College Residential Campus Religious Affiliation |
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
Pride is a forum for people of all genders and sexualities working to raise awareness about LGBTQ+ issues to the Holy Cross community. Allies Welcome! Pride's mission at Holy Cross is to promote and facilitate education, discussion, and dialogue about both the culture and the issues faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) students as well as any other non-normative sexualities or gender identities; to provide a necessary voice on campus, furthering acceptance and awareness of the LGBTQ+ community; to sustain an active and supportive community for the LGBTQ+ students; and to counter homophobic and transphobic attitudes and behaviors and thereby create a safer environment for the LGBTQ+ community. Outfront:A Holy Cross GLBTQ Faculty and Staff Alliance is open to GLBTQ-identified faculty, staff, and their allies in the HC community. Our mission is to: Support and encourage GLBTQ faculty and staff. Cultivate a vibrant social community of GLBTQ faculty and staff. Promote stimulating education and dialog about GLBTQ issues on campus. Build an academic and professional network for those engaged in GLBTQ teaching, scholarship, and service. Maintain close connections with the student group Pride and the GLBTQ Alumni Network.
Featured Quotes
Why you'll love College of the Holy Cross
As a 2014 alum, I have many wonderful memories of the Hill, but I also recognize the isolation I felt as a closeted gay student. I wanted to be open about my sexuality, but I just wasn’t sure which audience (if any) would be receptive. I want to be that audience for any student whose story parallels my own. I also think I am a pretty fun guy and just like to talk in general, AND would be willing to treat you to coffee (unless you have oodles of dining dollars, then I’ll have you pick up the tab)!
— Tom Campbell, Admissions Counselor, Office of Admissions
Jesuit theology encourages us to stand in solidarity with the vulnerable and oppressed as well as recognize the innate human dignity of all persons. These values represent an incredibly powerful social justice stance that more so mandates LGBTQ+ advocacy and understanding rather than bolsters any agenda that works toward the detriment of the LGBTQ+ community. Any person, regardless of wherever one falls along the intersections of gender and sexuality, has an inherent worth and beauty—loved and cherished by God.
— Keith Plummer, Queer Non-Binary Student, Class of 2017
Highlights & Organizations
Admissions
Admissions Office
College of the Holy Cross Admissions Office
Office of Admissions
College of the Holy Cross
College of the Holy Cross
1 College Street
Worcester, MA 01610
Phone: 508-793-2443
Website: http://www.holycross.edu/admissions-aid
Admission Application Deadline:
ED: 12/15 RD: 1/15
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.
College of the Holy Cross
LGBTQ-friendly break-down by inclusion factors
| Sexual Orientation Score | 3 of 5 |
| Gender Identity/Expression Score | 3 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Policy Inclusion | 3 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Support & Institutional Commitment | 2.5 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Academic Life | 4 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Student Life | 4 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Housing & Residence Life | 1.5 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Campus Safety | 3 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Counseling & Health | 2.5 of 5 |
| LGBTQ Recruitment & Retention Efforts | 2.5 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 |
