FAQ's

Yes, the department of Gender and Women's Studies offers several courses depending on interest and availability. You can check their course offerings here.

Yes, scholarships are available for returning LBGTQ students to assist with tuition and attending conference. Financial assistance is also available for trans students to obtain a replacement Bronco ID card if they have not legally changed their name. Check out our scholarship page.

Yes, the Office of LBGT Student Services has a library that can be accessed during open office hours, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.

Yes, faculty, staff, and students are not required to take LBGT trainings but are welcome to sign up for Safe on Campus training.

WMU Housing and Residence Life tries to make accommodations for LBGT students to be placed according to how they identify. Spectrum House is an LBGT living and learning community available to undergraduate students.

WMU abides by Michigan building codes regarding multi-stall gendered restrooms. We have both a map and a list of gender-neutral, single-stall accessible bathrooms that are located throughout campus.

The Office of LBGT Student Services offers twice monthly groups including: Bi-Weekly Pan, People of Shades Exclusively (POSE), and Trans Thursday. Our office offers the following annual events: Fall Fab Fest, Coming Out Week, Holigay Dinner, Finals Study Jams, and Lavender Graduation (as part of ODI Multicultural Celebration of Excellence). Registered Student Organizations (RSO) include OUTspoken and the WMU National Gay Pilots Association (NGPA). 

In 2012, WMU did a general campus climate survey where almost 6,000 people (students, faculty, staff, and administrators) completed the survey. Of those who filled it out, 12.3% identified as LBGT (~690 people).

WMU's non-discrimination policy includes both sexual orientation and gender identity/expression since 2006. WMU is ranked by Campus Pride as the top 5 LBGT campus in the state of Michigan and the top 35% in the Midwest region. 

Students who participate in fall orientations will have a campus tour where they will stop at the Adrian Trimpe Building to learn about the Office of LBGT Student Services in addition to other departments within the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI). 

Yes, you can have a preferred name displayed in several areas including (but not limited to) your email, instructor forms, and eLearning. New students are encouraged to communicate their preferred name before receiving their Bronco Card to avoid paying a $30 replacement fee. If you have a legal name change, the replacement Bronco ID fee is waived. 

* Preferred name will appear in addition to the legal name.

** Including class lists, midterm and final worksheets, academic concern, and incomplete grade forms.

The Office of Institutional Equity handles all instances of complaints and discrimination. You can also report an incident using their online form.

The city of Kalamazoo and Kalamazoo County prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression . Kalamazoo County also offers a county ID option where applicants must produce documents totaling 300-400 points on the ID program's system. There are several LBGT-friendly organizations in the community including OutFront Kalamazoo, CARES, Fire Historical and Cultural Arts Collaborative, and more.