Sydney Martinez, Campus Carrier opinions editor

With the recent Princeton Review rankings having come out two weeks ago, many are left questioning how inclusive Berry College truly is for students of diverse backgrounds, especially those within the LGBTQ+ community. The college’s placement at number 11 on the “most LGBTQ+ unfriendly colleges” list is alarming and raises serious concerns about the campus’ safety for their LGBTQ+ students and the overall atmosphere of acceptance at the school.

It is very apparent that Berry has a strong Christian influence, which often shapes the social atmosphere. The college, being in the deep South, a region infamous for its conservative leanings, only amplifies this dynamic. LGBTQ+ individuals in the South are often not safe from being targets of discrimination, and this reality is not lost on Berry’s LGBTQ+ students. Many fear that simply being themselves could make them the subject of hate or prejudice at college, leading them to hide their identities rather than express them freely.

In fact, according to Berry College’s own data, 37.5 percent of LGBTQ+ students have reported feeling discriminated against due to their sexual orientation. What is the campus doing now to ensure LGBTQ+ students feel safe and included in Berry life, both socially and institutionally?

Campus pride is a national nonprofit organization that aims to help campuses create a safer environment for their students. On their website they explain that a school that is LGBTQ+ friendly is one that has active student organizations on campus, LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and an established LGBTQ+ center or office on campus — just to name a few. Fortunately, Berry has some of these components in place.

The existence of LISTEN, the only recognized LGBTQ+ student organization, is a step in the right direction. LISTEN strives to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, to create fellowship and allyship within the community in a free space and to give back to the LGBTQ+ and local community. Though they began to meet in 2003, it is surprising that the club was only officially recognized in 2012, after numerous failed attempts to form LGBTQ+ groups like the Gay and Lesbian Awareness Society and Rainbow Berry. It is disheartening that it took so long for numerous voices to be heard, including Dr. Briggs’, for the group to be recognized as an official organization on campus. The establishment of LISTEN shows that Berry’s values are evolving, slowly but surely.

That brings up another point: Berry’s efforts through its Office of Belonging and Community Engagement are commendable, but they are not enough. The office’s goals are to prioritize Good Neighbor Culture, or in other words, “thoughtfully practice how we value, treat and serve one another.” While initiatives to foster inclusivity exist, there is still much work to be done to create an environment where students of all sexual orientations feel fully embraced and protected. One of the few policies that could pertain to LGBTQ+ students is a “bias response” form. Berry’s website states to file a report “if you have experienced or witnessed a dignity violation at Berry College, at the following link.” However, this approach feels inadequate, as it does not actively prevent harm — it simply reacts to it after the fact, making it seem like the college does not prioritize LGBTQ+ concerns.

LISTEN, the Gathering Space and the Office of Belonging and Community Engagement are first great steps toward a more inclusive college, but more direct action should be taken to advocate for their LGBTQ+ community. On the Office of Belonging and Community Engagement’s page, there is a statement saying that over 150 employees took a training course on strategies for non-violence that was provided through the King Center. If that was possible through partnership, there needs to be a mandatory training course for employees on LGBTQ+ communities and how to be more inclusive and supportive. The administration must do more than just maintain the status quo. It is time for Berry to publicly acknowledge the concerns of its LGBTQ+ students and implement tangible, effective changes that will foster a truly inclusive, safe and welcoming community for all.