THE MODERN (LGBT) FAMILY IN ADMISSIONS: HOW WE PREPARE FOR THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE

Beverly Henry Wheeler, Regional Director of AdmissionUniversity of Tulsa, Tulsa, Ok.800-331-3050beverly-wheeler@utulsa.edu

OVERVIEW OF THE SESSION

Core Ethics

Define the Modern Family

Major Concerns for the Modern Family in Admission

Case Studies

Role of Guidance Counselors

Role of Admission Counselor

Resources

In the 1950's, the ideal family consisted of a mother, father, two kids and a white picket fence. But

the traditional family unit has evolved. Are we prepared?

THE MODERN FAMILY

MAJOR CONCERNS

Disclosure

Gender Identity and Records

Finances

Campus Environment

CASE STUDY ONE: RECRUITMENT

A small but increasing number of students reveal

their sexuality on their college applications. Sometimes

these are applicants engaged in their high school LGBT

communities who write about extracurricular activities that

make their sexual orientation obvious. Others struggle with

when to disclose this personal information to colleges.

A student asked their guidance counselor should they come out in an interview or college essay.

CASE STUDY TWO: GENDER IDENTITY

An applicant admitted was in the process of transitioning from a

woman to a man. When the student applied, there were no

LGBT indicators in his file, and he identified himself as a woman

and used a woman’s name.

Now Peter wanted the office of admission to aid his transition to college by erasing any records of his former gender. Who should Peter contact and what information is needed?

CASE STUDY THREE: FINANCES AND FAMILIES

John as applied and been admitted and is in the

process of applying for financial aid. However prior to

completing the FAFSA, John reveals to his parents that he is

gay.

His parents refuse to complete the FAFSA after John discloses to them that he is gay. What options do John have now?

CASE STUDY FOUR: CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT

Before applying a student asked their guidance

counselor if she knew of LGBT friendly, welcoming

campuses.

How can guidance counselors answer this question? How does a university identify as a friendly LGBT campus and should they?

ROLE OF GUIDANCE COUNSELORS

Knowledgeable of Resources

Honest about Environment

Sensitive about Situation

?

?

ROLE OF ADMISSION COUNSELOR

Knowledgeable of Resources

Honest about Environment

Sensitive about Situation

?

?

RESOURCES

National Campus Pride - www.campuspride.net

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force – www.ngltf.org

Parents, Families and Friends of LAG – http://community.pflag.org

Human Rights Campaign - www.hrc.org

The Lambda 10 Project – www.lambda10.org

QUESTIONS?

SPECIAL CONSIDERATION

“Admission officers are use to considering demographic factors when reading and recruiting students, but being LGBT does not quite align with how we treat race, religion, socioeconomics, or other statuses. The defining difference is that most demographics are shared between parents and children.

There are rare exceptions where parents and children do not have the same race or socioeconomic status, or where religion or disability set family members apart. Differences in sexual orientation stand out as a characteristic that needs to be treated with special consideration.” Benjamin S. Baum, Associate Director of Admissions at Tufts

LET US BE EQUIPPED FOR THE MODERN FAMILY!