Campus Pride is disappointed by the decision today, as reported by InsideHigherEd.com, by the Board of the Common Application to not allow lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students the opportunity to self-identify on their college admission application.

The decision today shows how out of touch the Common Application, as an organization, is with LGBT young people and what they face on a day-to-day basis, primarily the impact harassment has had on students while in high school and its potential impact at a student's college or university of choice. Campus Pride's 2010 State of Higher Education report found that nearly a quarter of LGB staff, faculty, and students reported experiencing harassment that interfered with their ability to work or learn. An even greater percentage 39% of transgender students, faculty, and staff reported experiencing harassment as well.

Campus Pride along with other Common Application member institutions had petitioned the organization for nearly four years to make changes in regards to LGBT options on the application. The board's vote to reject the proposal was announced today.

"To be honest, this decision is not surprising," said Shane Windmeyer, executive director of Campus Pride. "The Common Application had a difficult time understanding why LGBT youth would want to come out on the college admission form, though similar questions are asked about other demographic and identity information. Frankly, what we are talking about is having colleges take responsibility for out LGBT youth who are applying to their institutions. Colleges and universities have the responsibility and role to ensure a safe, welcoming place to live, learn and grow. Right now, colleges have no clue who they are admitting in terms of sexual orientation or gender identity."

LGBT youth deserve to know that the institution of their choice will be inclusive and welcoming: "This issue is one of inclusion, safety and accountability," said Windmeyer. "Why should an LGBT student have to experience harassment, bias or fear their first year in college because they were invisible when admitted to the college? Programs, support and services to help their first-year transition and academic success should not be left to chance. Providing students with the opportunity to answer optional questions regarding sexual orientation and gender identity provides college and university staff with vital information they need to most effectively serve their entire student body."

Windmeyer added, "From the moment Campus Pride initiated dialogue with the Common Application, I knew that there was a huge learning curve to overcome in regards to LGBT concerns. The fact that the Common Application allows students to identify their religious beliefs as an option but does not see the rationale for LGBT youth, I think says a lot as to how much work still needs to be done."

Campus Pride has seen tremendous success and greater visibility of LGBT issues on college and university campuses across the nation since 2007. The increased use of our Campus Climate Index and the significant increase in participation in our annual LGBT-Friendly College Fair tours have shown us that LGBT young people have an outspoken desire to attend institutions of higher education where they will be included and where their safety will be ensured.

The board of Common Application should consult directly with LGBT students -- those who will benefit most from the once-proposed and now-rejected changes to their application. Such direct interaction with students will better inform Common Application and allow them to come to a more suitable decision.

READ MORE: Be sure to read this great story by the New York Times Student Journalism Institute's Sergio N. Candido for a better perspective on LGBT students, their desires for higher education and more: thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/20/gay-friendly/

InsideHigherEd.com reports today on proposed changes to the Common Application, an admissions application used by 415 colleges and universities across the country. The national non-profit group might add questions on sexual orientation and gender identity.

InsideHigherEd.com reports:

The Common Application is considering adding voluntary questions about applicants' sexual orientation and gender identity. The application is used by hundreds of colleges and universities -- including many of the most competitive.

The current norm in higher education is not to ask such questions, even on a voluntary basis. But with more students coming out in high school, and with some colleges explicitly taking steps to recruit gay applicants, some admissions officers and some advocates for gay students want to encourage colleges to ask the questions. But the possible switch could be controversial. The Common Application has conducted a nonbinding survey of its members and -- while not releasing results -- has indicated that the membership is split. (The association's board will decide the question.)

Some of the proposals include adding a drop down menu listing several sexual orientations. Such a form, InsideHigherEd.com reports, "would let students select gay/lesbian, bisexual, straight/heterosexual or "another identity" that could be listed." Another proposal suggests adding a blank text field allowing students to enter any identity of their own choosing.

The proposals on gender identity are a bit stickier. Some federal regulations require collection of information on students' male or female gender. InsideHigherEd.com reports: "On the issue of gender identity, the Common Application is considering options that would explain why the male/female question must be asked consistent with federal reporting requirements, but which would then go on to tell applicants that if there is a word that better describes their identity beyond male or female, they are welcome to add that."

Campus Pride Executive Director Shane Windmeyer was interviewed for the piece:

Shane L. Windmeyer, the founder of Campus Pride, a national group that works on behalf of gay students and sponsors college fairs at which gay students can meet college representatives, said it was past time for colleges to add such questions. "It is 2010," he said. "Colleges should take responsibility for their LGBT students at the front end of the admissions process. We have students from across the country who are already out when they apply, and this should just be part of the process. There is no reason these students should be invisible when it comes to applying for college."

Both Campus Pride and the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals have been among groups urging adoption of the new questions in the Common Application.

Read InsideHigherEd.com's entire report...

What are your thoughts? Would you complete voluntary questions regarding your sexual orientation and gender identity? Tell us why or why not in the comment section below.