I’m currently thinking about colleges and Hamilton is one of the places I’ve found myself liking a lot. However, one question I’ve had that I haven’t been able to find a really detailed answer to is what the environment there is like for LGBT students? Are there any current/former students (or anyone else who might know) who would be able to share how welcoming the campus community is for LGBT students, and how safe an environment it is for LGBT people? Also, how safe/comfortable would an openly LGBT person feel in the surrounding town?
I’m also wondering what LGBT-oriented resources and clubs there are, and if there is any form of gender inclusive or LGBT-themed housing?
Hamilton offers resources to support students through open discussion and confidential counseling: https://www.hamilton.edu/about/diversity/lgbtq-resource-center.
This series of recollections, of which some are recent, should offer you cultural context as well as a personal level of insight: https://www.hamilton.edu/news/story/lgbtq-alumni-oral-history.
Best of luck in your college search!
Hi JCollege22! I’m a current first-year at Hamilton, and as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I had similar concerns when looking at colleges. I’m happy to say that I have found the Hamilton community extremely accepting. I’ve felt comfortable being myself on campus, which is a really freeing feeling. I’ve felt completely safe on campus- something which all of my other friends in the LGBTQ+ community will wholeheartedly agree with. In terms of the surrounding town, I haven’t had any issues at all. I can only speak from personal experience of course, but everyone I’ve talked to in the village has been extremely friendly.
Hamilton does have a Queer Student Union that holds very frequent meetings (2x a week), including T-time (which is for trans* students). They also host a variety of events throughout the year and bring LGBTQ+ speakers to campus. (I feel I should note that other campus clubs host LGBTQ+ speakers, too.) If you’re looking for more professional resources, the people at the counseling center will always do their best to help you out.
In terms of housing, you have the option when filling out your first-year housing form to select gender-inclusive housing. If you select this option, someone from residential life will get in touch with you and ask you about what roommate / room situation would make you most comfortable. You can select this option also if you’re open to having a roommate that is of a different sex or gender. Residential life really wants you to be safe and happy on campus :). After your first year, you choose your own room situation on campus. (FYI most dorms on campus are co-ed by room, meaning that floors aren’t separated by sex and neither are bathrooms, which I really like, but there is also the option to live on a single-sex floor.)
One last thing- the professors! I know you didn’t ask about this but I miss being on campus and will happily take this opportunity to gush a little about my school and the professors are not just fantastic at being professors but also create inclusive and comfortable environments for their students. I have had multiple professors go out of their way to ask students about pronouns and do their best to make their classrooms welcoming to everyone.
Okay that’s all from me but do post a reply if you have more questions! I’d be happy to answer any I can. Good luck on the college search! It’s a really tough decision with so many fantastic schools, but I’m sure you’ll end up somewhere great!
One of the school’s slogan is, “At Hamilton, study what interests you, be accepted for who you are, and prepare to be the person you were meant to become.”