Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

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~ New Report Shows One-Third of Top 25 Schools Are 'GenderSAFE' ~

WASHINGTON (August 28, 2007) – On Monday, the Gender Public Advocacy 
Coalition (GenderPAC) released its 2007 GENIUS Index (Gender Equality 
National Index for Universities & Schools) which tracks and evaluates 
colleges, universities, and K-12 school districts' progress in combating 
discrimination based on student's gender identity and expression and sexual 
orientation. The report analyzes and enumerates non-discrimination policies, 
gender-neutral bathrooms, gender-neutral housing, and anti-harassment 
policies.

This is the second year that GenderPAC has published the GENIUS Index. The 
2007 Index reflects a tremendous increase in response rate: 496 students, 
administrators, and alumni, representing 278 colleges and universities, 
responded to the survey, as compared to the 2006 Index which received 124  
responses (81 schools).

There was also a noted increase in the number of universities specifically 
banning discrimination based on gender identity or expression: 147 colleges 
and universities currently have such policies, as compared to 131 in 2006. 
More than 100 public K-12 school districts, encompassing thousands of 
individual schools, have extended similar
protections to nearly 3.5 million students in 23 states.

Despite the fact that all eight Ivy League schools have inclusive 
non-discrimination policies, there were a few surprising omissions among "Top 
25" schools: Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA, the University of Michigan 
in Ann Arbor, MI, and Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, all lack 
protections for gender nonconforming people.

"We applaud the new schools that have stepped up to ensure that their 
campuses are GenderSAFE and all students are treated fairly and equally, 
whether or not they fit expectations for masculinity and femininity," said 
Brittney Hoffman, GenderPAC's Campus Director.

"At the same time, we are concerned that many students on campuses across the 
country are still experiencing gender-based discrimination or harassment -- 
you can't get a quality education if you're scared, ostracized or being 
ridiculed," continued Hoffman.
        
For those at schools without GenderSAFE(TM) protections, life can be 
unpleasant and sometimes dangerous. Students across the country have been 
mobilizing on their campuses to get the more inclusive policies and practices 
enacted.

 Said Hoffman, "We work every day with student activists who are creating 
GenderSAFE(TM) campuses. Our Fall campaign for college activists and the 
GENIUS Action Tool Kit provide student activists with all the resources 
necessary to organize on their own campuses." 

The 2007 Index, including a complete list of identified institutions with 
gender identity/expression policies, can be viewed in its entirety at: 
www.gpac.org/genius/2007.pdf.  The GENIUS Action Tool Kit will be available 
this September. 

The Gender Public Advocacy Coalition works to ensure that classrooms, 
communities, and workplaces are safe for everyone to learn, grow, and succeed 
-- whether or not they fit expectations for masculinity or femininity. To 
learn more about GenderPAC, visit www.gpac.org.

###


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