LGBTQIAP+ Student Support

LGBTQIA Banner Flag
Preview

LGBTQIAP+ WPI Logo

LGBTQIAP+ Support at WPI

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is committed to valuing, affirming, advocating, protecting, celebrating, and supporting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Aromantic, Agender and Pansexual populations on campus and beyond. The plus “+” is used to respectfully and sensitively recognize all populations within the community.
The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME), Division of Talent and Inclusion, and Division of Student Affairs aim to provide educational opportunities, informative events, professional development, training and development as well as social and community support for LGBTQIAP+ community members.

Resources to Change Your Name/Gender

Campus Life

The Alliance, oSTEM Affiliate Chapter

The Alliance, oSTEM Affiliate Chapter is a student organization at WPI whose mission to provide a voice and body for students of WPI of all sexual orientations and gender identities. The organization offers social and educational programming and a support networks for students.

Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM), Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional association for LGBTQ+ people in the STEM community. With over 100 student chapters at colleges/universities and professional chapters in cities across the United States and abroad, oSTEM is the largest chapter-based organization focused on LGBTQ+ people in STEM.

Gender Inclusive Restrooms

There are numerous gender inclusive restrooms available on campus.

A full listing of the locations can be found on WPI’s Interactive Map.

Gender Inclusive Housing & Housing Application

the Housing & Residential Experience Center offers a variety of undergraduate housing opportunities that support students with a variety of gender expressions. For more information on housing options and directions on how to update your preferred name in StarRez, WPI’s housing selection and roster database, click here. While your legal name and sex will appear in your housing application, you do have the ability to create your own username for the online housing application search function.

Mental Health and Wellness Support

The Student Development and Counseling Center (SDCC) affirms and supports students of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. SDCC staff strive to provide a secure, confidential, and intentional space where LGBTQIAP+, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming students can have their wellness needs met. The SDCC is located at 16 Einhorn Road and can be reached at 1-508-831-5540 and/or sdcc@wpi.edu.

SDCC Group Counseling: LGBTQIAP+ and More

Participating in a therapeutic group can be a helpful resource for students to use both as a stand-alone tool for support, or as an adjunct to individual therapy. Not only will you have the ear of a trained therapist and counselor, but you’ll have an opportunity to connect with peers and form new relationships, provide and receive support to/from others, and discover that you are not alone.

Students interested in group therapy should complete this form. A group counselor will be in touch with more information.

WPI Student Health Services

WPI Student Health Services (SHS) is an appointment-based medical office and can provide or refer any primary care needs.

Resources for Academic Success and Career Development

Canvas - Learning Management Software

You can update your name in Canvas on your own. Be sure to update both the Display Name and the Full Name fields your Canvas settings. This can be completed by following these steps:

You can add your pronouns in Canvas on your own.  Add your pronouns by following these steps:

WPI Sponsored Travel: Preparing to Go Off Campus

Global Experience Office (GEO) recognizes that different aspects of your identity may impact your experience abroad. We encourage all travelers to reflect on the different aspects of their identity when preparing for travel abroad.

Considerations

How you identify in the United States may not be how you choose to identify abroad and may not be how you are identified by your destination country. We encourage all travelers to research your destination country’s history, culture, laws, and demographics.

''When you go abroad, it's inevitable to find yourself in a conversation with someone whose opinions vary greatly from yours.'' Read this helpful article from Diversity Abroad on how to engage in challenging conversations while abroad.

Please consult the following resources as you consider and prepare for your experience off campus.

Supporting Diversity Off Campus - LGBTQIAP+ Students
George C. Gordon Library: Collections and Library Guides

The George C. Gordon Library has a variety of Collections and Library Guides about and for the LGBTQIAP+ community:

Merit

WPI’s Division of Marketing Communication team uses the Merit Pages, Inc. platform to share student news through hometown press releases.

If you would like to use your preferred name, please claim and update your Merit Page at https://wpi.meritpages.com/.

For more information on Merit Pages, visit Student Merit Pages: Frequently Asked Questions.

Scholarship Opportunities

Best Colleges and Scholarships.com have curated a scholarship guide for the LGBTQIAP+ community.

Pride Prom, 2021

2023-2024 Alliance Executive Board at Pride Prom 2023

2023-2024 Alliance Executive Board at Pride Prom 2023

Lavender Commencement, 2022

Lavender Commencement, 2022

Lavender Commencement, 2022

Lavender Commencement, 2022

Pride Prom, 2021

Lavender Commencement, 2019

Lavender Commencement, 2019

Lavender Commencement Celebration, 2019

Lavender Commencement Celebration, 2019

Lavender Commencement, 2019

WPI Notice of Non-Discrimination Policy

WPI is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education and employment. It is the policy of WPI to provide each qualified individual - regardless of race, sex, age, color, national origin, religion, genetic identity, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status – the opportunity to participate in the University’s educational and employment programs and activities, including admissions, in discrimination and harassment-free environment, in accordance with state and federal laws, including Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and their respective implementing regulations.