LGBTQIAP+ Student Support
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 Student Affairs, and Division of Talent and Inclusion 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
Legal Name or Gender Change
Utilize this page to learn about the WPI name change process and to understand when, where, and how lived name changes are managed within WPI systems.
Updating Your Photo in Workday
If you are a current student worker or employee and you want to update your photo in Workday, you can do so by searching “Change My Photo” in the Workday search bar.
Massachusetts Legal Name Changes
To learn about how to file for a legal name change as an adult in Massachusetts, visit this website.
- 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.
- Linktree: https://linktr.ee/allianceatwpi
- 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.
- Queer and Trans People of Color Coalition (QTPOCC)
- WPI’s first ever intersectionality club celebrating both POC and LGBT voices on campus!
- Linktree: https://linktr.ee/qtpoccwpi
All Gender Restrooms
There are numerous all gender and gendered 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.
Lavender Lane is WPI's LGBTQIAP+ affinity housing, designed to support an inclusive and affirming environment for residential students who identify within that community to comfortably live and explore their shared identities. Please contact The Housing & Residential Center at firstname.lastname@example.org or Lauren Feldman (she/they), Assistant Director for Gender Equity & Sexuality at email@example.com with any questions.
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 firstname.lastname@example.org.
WPI’s Center for Well-Being (CWB) is a hub for cross-functional campus efforts aimed at improving student, community, and campus well-being through evidence-based practices, coordinated initiatives, the support of student and faculty research, and strategic visioning. The CWB is located in Daniels Hall and can be reached at +1-508-831-6494 or email@example.com.
Looking for Additional Resources? View the Student Resources & Support website for a large list of WPI resources, available to all students.
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.
Gender Affirming Healthcare at WPI Student Health Services
WPI Student Health Services (SHS) is an appointment-based medical office and can provide or refer any primary care needs.
SHS offers gender affirming healthcare. To schedule an appointment, call SHS at 508-831-5520 (during office hours) and request a gender affirming healthcare appointment at time of call.
Title IX, Equal Opportunity & Outreach
WPI’s approach to preventing sexual misconduct is comprehensive and progressive. All members of the WPI community are protected by federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination based on sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, and transgender status.
You can report Sexual Misconduct to the Equal Opportunity & Outreach Office in person, by mail, by telephone, by email, or anonymously. Contact information for the Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Coordinators can be found HERE.
- Title IX Coordinator Rm 234 Campus Center
- Phone: 508-831-6514
- Email: firstname.lastname@example.org
- Address: 100 Institute Road Worcester, Massachusetts 01609
The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME) is proud to offer members of the WPI community access to our apparel pantry Gompei’s Closet located in the Collegiate Religious Center (CRC) at 19 Schussler Road.
Gompei's Closet is currently housed on the second floor of the Collegiate Religious Center (CRC) and serves as an on campus resource for students and employees to request and receive clothing products, ties, dress shirts, blouses, shirts, underwear, socks, and other garments. This can be a resource for those looking to find gender-affirming clothing options.
Bias Response Program
The Bias Response Program allows the university to provide support for individuals looking to better understand their reporting options, serve as a resource and measure of accountability to formal reporting channels, and advocate for individuals who may not be comfortable pursuing formal reporting channels. Additionally, the BRP will serve as a means of data gathering and assessment on patterns and trends of bias to mitigate the pervasive effects and recurrence of bias on campus.
You can report a Bias Incident through the Bias Incident Online Reporting Form.
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:
Career Development and Job Search
The Heebner Career Development Center offers a wide variety of tips and support for LGBTQIAP+ students when it comes to the job search.
These resources include news & advice, job & internship opportunities, career videos, and more on their LGBTQIAP+ page!
Download and review the LGBTQIAP+ Job Search Tip Sheet (PDF) for information on identifying LGBTQIAP+ friendly employers, coming out at work, and more.
If you wish to share your lived name and gender identity in Handshake, you can edit this in your student profile.
Campus Pride has created a resource for LGBTQIAP+ folks looking for jobs, mentorship, career centers and so much more on their Career Connect website.
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.
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.
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:
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.
Campus Pride Index
The Campus Pride Index is a national benchmarking tool for colleges to create more inclusive practices on their campuses for LGBTQIAP+ people. Through this assessment, WPI has been given 4 out of 5 stars. This score is determined through inclusion-factors across different areas of campus. We have a commitment to continue improving life for LGBTQIAP+ students, faculty, and staff on campus.
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.