How can I tell whether students at a university seem comfortable being themselves?
Do not judge from one student’s experience alone. At an open campus or information session, observe the atmosphere around clothing, opinions, friendships, and interactions between students and staff. Ask several current students about life outside class and where they can seek help. Also check whether information about support for diverse students, harassment consultation, and reasonable accommodations appears accessible in practice, comparing official information with students’ accounts.
Key points
- Seek views from several students rather than relying on one person or one visit.
- Observe the atmosphere around diversity, freedom of expression and appearance, and friendships.
- Check support services, harassment measures, reasonable accommodations, and how to use them.
Things to check
- A sense of comfort varies by personality, faculty, year, and timing. Details of policies and their actual operation should be checked through official university information and, where possible, current students.