Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green Scores Perfect 100 On Athletic Equality Index
July 01, 2022 | General, Student-Athlete Services
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Athlete Ally has announced the NCAA Division I Athletic Equality Index (AEI) scores for 2021-22. Bowling Green scored a 100 on the AEI, one of just 15 D-I schools in the country to earn a perfect score. BGSU and Kent State are the only schools in the Mid-American Conference scoring 100 on the AEI, which was launched in 2017.
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Bowling Green's Inclusion Practices
"BGSU Athletics strives to create and maintain an environment where people choose to become the best versions of themselves and inspire others. This cannot happen without the relentless pursuit of inclusive environments throughout the department where people feel as though they belong and are a meaningful contributor to this mission. The perfect score on the AEI is a great measure of the strides we are taking, and there is certainly more work to be done. BGSU Athletics can be, and should be, a change agent for equity and belonging," said Dr. Chet Hesson.
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The official website of BGSU Athletics details the department's Diversity and Belonging initiatives, providing resources from various campus organizations. The page, which includes the department's affirmation statement and diversity, inclusion, and equity statement, can be found HERE.
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The BGSU student-athlete handbook includes athletics-specific policies on nondiscrimination, trans inclusion, and sexual harassment. The handbook can be found HERE. Similar policies are outlined on the Fan Code of Conduct page, found HERE. BGSU also provides opportunities for personal growth to its student-athletes, including involvement with We Are One Team (WA1T). WA1T is a certified program focused on diversity and inclusion leadership, designed specifically for student-athletes. Pro-LGBTQ+ trainings are also required of all student-athletes, coaches, and staff.
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About the AEI
Eight metrics that are measured when compiling a department's AEI score: nondiscrimination policy, trans inclusion policy, sexual harassment policy, fan code of conduct, annual partnership & collaboration, LGBTQ+ educational resources, pro-LGBTQ+ trainings for staff, and pro-LGBTQ+ trainings for student-athletes. Bowling Green scored perfectly in all eight metrics for the second consecutive year.
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The AEI provides a comprehensive, up-to-date snapshot of how D-I institutions are supporting their fans, staff, coaches, and student-athletes. The AEI aims to set a gold standard of LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and practices in collegiate athletics; provide feedback to athletic departments on how their policies and practices compare to others across the nation; and offer resources to departments hoping to update their policies and practices.
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Every athletic department has the capacity to earn full points on the AEI by enacting and making each policy, resource, and training publicly available to staff, fans, and varsity student-athletes. Access to information is imperative and demonstrates a department's commitment to sustained LGBTQ+ inclusion while signaling to prospective employees, spectators, and athletes that they welcome all people into their department and spaces.
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The AEI process allows for ongoing collaboration with colleges and universities. Throughout the process, the Athlete Ally team conversed and consulted with athletic department leaders, and provided them with resources (sample policies, educational materials, etc.) to help them seamlessly make changes to foster a more inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community.
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About Athlete Ally
Athlete Ally believes that everyone should have equal access, opportunity, and experience in sports — regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Its mission is to end the rampant homophobia and transphobia in sport and to activate the athletic community to exercise their leadership to champion LGBTQI+ equality.
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For a full breakdown of BGSU's AEI score, visit its page on Athlete Ally HERE. For more information on Athlete Ally and its mission, visit its website HERE. To view and compre the scores of other departments, visit the AEI search page HERE.
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Bowling Green's Inclusion Practices
"BGSU Athletics strives to create and maintain an environment where people choose to become the best versions of themselves and inspire others. This cannot happen without the relentless pursuit of inclusive environments throughout the department where people feel as though they belong and are a meaningful contributor to this mission. The perfect score on the AEI is a great measure of the strides we are taking, and there is certainly more work to be done. BGSU Athletics can be, and should be, a change agent for equity and belonging," said Dr. Chet Hesson.
Â
The official website of BGSU Athletics details the department's Diversity and Belonging initiatives, providing resources from various campus organizations. The page, which includes the department's affirmation statement and diversity, inclusion, and equity statement, can be found HERE.
Â
The BGSU student-athlete handbook includes athletics-specific policies on nondiscrimination, trans inclusion, and sexual harassment. The handbook can be found HERE. Similar policies are outlined on the Fan Code of Conduct page, found HERE. BGSU also provides opportunities for personal growth to its student-athletes, including involvement with We Are One Team (WA1T). WA1T is a certified program focused on diversity and inclusion leadership, designed specifically for student-athletes. Pro-LGBTQ+ trainings are also required of all student-athletes, coaches, and staff.
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About the AEI
Eight metrics that are measured when compiling a department's AEI score: nondiscrimination policy, trans inclusion policy, sexual harassment policy, fan code of conduct, annual partnership & collaboration, LGBTQ+ educational resources, pro-LGBTQ+ trainings for staff, and pro-LGBTQ+ trainings for student-athletes. Bowling Green scored perfectly in all eight metrics for the second consecutive year.
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The AEI provides a comprehensive, up-to-date snapshot of how D-I institutions are supporting their fans, staff, coaches, and student-athletes. The AEI aims to set a gold standard of LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and practices in collegiate athletics; provide feedback to athletic departments on how their policies and practices compare to others across the nation; and offer resources to departments hoping to update their policies and practices.
Â
Every athletic department has the capacity to earn full points on the AEI by enacting and making each policy, resource, and training publicly available to staff, fans, and varsity student-athletes. Access to information is imperative and demonstrates a department's commitment to sustained LGBTQ+ inclusion while signaling to prospective employees, spectators, and athletes that they welcome all people into their department and spaces.
Â
The AEI process allows for ongoing collaboration with colleges and universities. Throughout the process, the Athlete Ally team conversed and consulted with athletic department leaders, and provided them with resources (sample policies, educational materials, etc.) to help them seamlessly make changes to foster a more inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community.
Â
About Athlete Ally
Athlete Ally believes that everyone should have equal access, opportunity, and experience in sports — regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Its mission is to end the rampant homophobia and transphobia in sport and to activate the athletic community to exercise their leadership to champion LGBTQI+ equality.
Â
For a full breakdown of BGSU's AEI score, visit its page on Athlete Ally HERE. For more information on Athlete Ally and its mission, visit its website HERE. To view and compre the scores of other departments, visit the AEI search page HERE.
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