Comments | gsa_lj: University of California mulls asking incoming students their sexual orientation

tko_ak in gsa_lj

University of California mulls asking incoming students their sexual orientation

Mar 12, 2012 20:43

Their hearts may be in the right place, but I don't like the ideaI like demographics and statistical breakdowns as much as the next nerd, but even if it is optional, there's an expectation to answer (and to do so honestly). It has no bearing on anything, and what's to stop a homophobic admissions counselor from discriminating ( Read more... )

discussion, demographics, college

Comments 16

john1082 March 13 2012, 04:54:59 UTC

Agreed. Our university has better things to do

crasherwake March 13 2012, 05:34:14 UTC

It's not a bad thing to know. It is voluntary and could give them an idea as to how many people identify as GLBT and, as stated, it could then be used to address how they should support those students. Although since it is totally voluntary students may not want to answer, so it might not give them accurate results.

Apparently it is a question already being asked at at least one college, though, so they could look and see if it has benefited the school and the students. Or not.

tko_ak March 13 2012, 05:38:40 UTC

They don't need ot know how many people identify as non-heterosexual to serve them or provide services. They already do. And if it were as simple as wanting to know how many gay/bi/lesbian students they have, they could have surveys of current students - which would be anonymous and reduce the risk of discrimination and privacy concerns.

Of course, I don't think that it's necessarily the best gauge of diversity. I'm more interested in diversity of opinion and worldview than of traits, whether that's skin pigment, genitalia, faith, orientation, etc.

crasherwake March 13 2012, 05:47:08 UTC

Maybe it could be useful either way? But if they had a larger or even smaller number of LGBT students than average I could see where it would be in their interest to make efforts to make sure their needs are met and they aren't discriminated against. And isn't part of the reason for the question to see if incoming students qualify for certain scholarships? Since the're a minority. And to make LGBT students feel included and visible, too.

Okay... Good for you?

tko_ak March 13 2012, 06:34:55 UTC

I don't think anyone has any interest in being window dressing ( ... )

Thread 7

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john1082 March 13 2012, 16:00:48 UTC

GO BEARS

nyxelestia March 13 2012, 08:56:05 UTC

So long as there's a "decline to state" option, seems okay to me. They already ask a lot of other questions about demographics - race/ethnicity, sex, ect. I can see how there would be a lot of room for failure here, but I can also see the benefits - as mentioned, it does allow for UCs to better provide services to LGBT students (I know they provide some already, but this can smooth things out) and give LGBT students protection as a protected class/minority. And, they do offer scholarships and scholarship information based on whatever information you provide in the application ( ... )

crypticwyrd March 13 2012, 12:18:25 UTC

I could see if the school wanted to do a voluntary survey to get an idea of the numbers and what programs they might want to make available to both homosexual and heterosexual students alike.

I don't even like race statistics being on forms, I don't like the idea of sexuality statistics being on forms either. Or gender for that matter. What should matter and be the only thing important is the persons skills or abilities.

Didn't we just get the sexual orientation question taken off the military enrollment sheet? This almost seems like a backward slide to me. :/