IU has again earned distinction as one of Campus Pride’s “Best of the Best” LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities.

For eight years, Campus Pride has highlighted institutions based on policy, program and practice. This year, the national nonprofit organization selected 30 public and private places of higher education, with student populations ranging from 807 to 45,000.

According to Shane Windmeyer, executive director of Campus Pride, many of the selected colleges and universities have specifically addressed concerns for transgender student safety and recruitment and retention of LGBTQ students.

“Support from the president’s and the provost’s office as well as schools, departments, students organizations and the alumni association all are important factors in helping LGBTQ plus students feel welcome at IUB,” Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transexual Student Support Services Office Director Doug Baudersaid. “We have much for which to be proud, but in a culture where 49 individuals can be mass-murdered for their sexual orientation or gender identity, we still have work to do."