Help LGBTQ students to survive, thrive at Catholic schools.

Students who feel a commitment to a school are more likely to stay and graduate than their less-committed peers, so one way to reduce attrition is to help students make connections. It sounds simple, especially with all the opportunities for participation and support available on campuses these days.

But what if those students are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered and the school they're attending is Catholic? What if they're openly gay and activist? How can you, as an administrator, reconcile their sexual orientation with Church teachings while not silencing their voices? How do you give them a forum for expression and an opportunity to connect without inciting the local Cardinal?

DePaul University in Chicago has found a way to bridge the divide between Church teachings and its LGBTQ students. A quartet of gay students shared their experiences of being "out" at the liberal Catholic campus at the "Out There: The Second National Conference of Scholars and Student Affairs Personnel Involved in LGBTQ Issues on Catholic Campuses" conference, held at DePaul University in October.

The student panel featured Carolyn Dolin and Andrew Goodman of the group Spectrum and David Dulceany and Jenny Noerper of ActOUT.

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Spectrum is a student-led social group for gays and allies that organizes social outings, education and fun. ActOUT is united around activism Carolyn Dolin for queer rights. It specializes in political identity and is dedicated to community service. Students lead the groups, and faculty advisors help them to get through the school's bureaucracy.

DePaul University as a leader