ROCHESTER, N.Y. – RIT was recently awarded a perfect score on the Athletic Equality Index (AEI), which assesses LGBTQI+ inclusion policies and practices in NCAA intercollegiate athletic departments across the country.
 
RIT was the first non-NCAA Division-I program to achieve the distinction and is one of only 20 programs in the nation to receive 100 out of 100 points since the inception of the index.
 
Launched in 2017 by Athlete Ally, the first-of-its-kind report provides a comprehensive look at how athletic departments support their LGBTQI+ student-athletes, coaches, administrators, staff and fans.
 
"I am beyond thrilled RIT is the first Division-III school to get a perfect score of 100 on the AEI," said RIT Women's Basketball Coach and Senior Woman Administrator Amy Reed, who is also Co-Director of the department's Diversity and Inclusion Team. "I am incredibly proud of our dedicated coaches, staff and administrators who have made it a priority to educate themselves on how to be better allies, while our Athletics DEI Team, our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee leaders, and our campus partners in the Q Center and Assessment, Technology and Communications have all been instrumental in helping us be champions of inclusivity in athletics."
 
The goal of the AEI is to set a standard of LGBTQI+ policies for collegiate athletic departments, provide feedback on how their practices compare to other institutions, and offer resources for those looking to make updates.
 
Athlete Ally is a national non-profit focused on educating individuals and institutions about the obstacles to inclusion for LGBTQI+ people and how they can build an inclusive culture through sport. Their mission is to educate and activate athletic communities to eliminate homophobia and transphobia in sports and to exercise their leadership to champion LGBTQI+ equality.
 
"Athlete Ally is such an incredible organization and valuable resource for education, advocacy and policy development when it comes to LGBTQI+ rights in athletic communities," Reed continued.
 
For more information, visit aei.athleteally.org.
 
NCAA Athletic Departments w/Perfect Equality Index Score (20)
Arizona
Boston University
Bowling Green
Cal-Berkley
Cal-Davis
Columbia
Dartmouth
George Mason
Grand Valley State (D2)
Illinois
Kent State
Lafayette
UMass-Amherst
UMass-Lowell
Miami (Fla.)
Ohio State
Penn
Rochester Institute of Technology (D3)
USC
Texas