LGBTQIA2+ FAQs

Frequently asked questions about Oakton's LGBTQIA2+ Community

Oakton Pride is an Oakton student club for LGBTQIA2+ identifying students, allies, and others who simply want to know more about gender identity and sexuality topics.


For more information, contact: prideclub@oakton.edu.

Many members of our campus community collaborate across departments to offer programs and enhance institutional inclusion. Some of the stakeholders below are leaders in these efforts:

All faculty, staff and administrators who have participated in Safe Zone Ally training are given stickers for completion. These may be posted on faculty office doors, cubicles, or even faculty laptop computers.

Many faculty and staff members consciously try to make themselves visible and available to LGBTQIA2+ campus community members. They may do this by displaying rainbow/pride-themed symbols and accessories (e.g., pins, lanyards, stickers, flags, name badges, other flair).

The Student Center (Des Plaines: 1530, Skokie: A130) and/or the LGBTQIA2+ Advisory Council can recommend resources, offices and people if you need specific assistance.

The Office of Student Affairs, Office of Student Life, and other departments often work in partnership with Oakton Pride to host events that educate students and create a safer and more hospitable campus. Women’s and Gender Studies offers classes and programs that foster critical thinking about the complex intersections between gender and other identity categories such as sexuality, race, class, ethnicity, age, and ability.

Oakton currently offers SafeZone and ally training for employees and students to become more aware, inviting, and inclusive of community members of all genders and sexual orientations. The Diversity Council focuses on Oakton’s diverse population and identifies ways in which Oakton can become more welcoming and improve the campus climate for all.

All employees who have completed the SafeZone and ally training are expected to place a sign on their door or in their office space stating, “Oakton College Safe Zone.” Trained students are requested to wear their pin at all times while on campus to identify themselves as peer allies.

Des Plaines

First Floor:

  • Room 1470
  • Room 1914
  • Room 1915
  • Room 1916

Second Floor:

  • Room 2914
  • Room 2915
  • Room 2916
  • Room 2214

Skokie (Ray Hartstein Campus)


First Floor:

  • Room A181

Yes. All students can receive 16 sessions of short-term counseling through the Wellness Center every 2 academic years.

Multiple counselors specialize in working with LGBTQIA2+ populations. Some counselors also specialize in working with BIPOC populations, trauma, relationships, and identity.

To schedule an appointment, please contact the Wellness Center.

Sex/gender markers and names are heavily integrated into Oakton’s legal record-keeping obligations.

They can be difficult to navigate, and may not always readily align with markers, names, and pronouns you use in everyday life. Staff are actively working on making this process easier to navigate.

In the Classroom
You can always ask a faculty or staff member to use your appropriate name and pronouns. All Oakton employees are expected to accommodate such requests.

Professors may see multiple names for your student ID across Banner (Oakton’s registration system) and D2L (Oakton’s learning management system). To ensure your instructor uses the correct name, it is best to email them directly and inform them of your name and pronouns. Instructors may ask for this in introductory emails at the beginning of the course term, in their syllabi, and other areas where course information exists.

You can update your pronouns* in Desire2Learn (D2L). You must “Allow others to see my pronouns” and enter them manually. You can enable and update this feature under “Account Settings.” You can also update your profile picture if sharing your current gender presentation might help instructors appropriately refer to you.

*It is not currently possible to manually update your name in D2L.

Record System Changes
Students who wish to formally/legally change their name on their record can complete the Request to Change Student Record form and submit it to the Enrollment Center on either campus. Supporting documentation needs to be provided with the form. Acceptable forms of documentation to formally/legally change your name include a copy of: current driver’s license or State ID card, current passport, marriage certificate, court documents allowing name change, social security card, or birth certificate.

Students who wish to provide a chosen/preferred name may also use the Request to Change Student Record form and submit it to the Enrollment Center. No documentation is needed to update your record with a chosen/preferred name.

Students wishing to update their pronoun(s) should use the “Other” field on the Request to Change Student Record form to inform the College of their pronoun(s). Oakton recognizes He/him/his, She/her/hers, They/them/theirs, Ze/hir/hirs, Ze/zim/zir/zirs, He/They, and She/They.

Oakton Owl ID/Library Card
To obtain or update your Oakton Owl ID Card with your chosen/preferred first name, please complete the Oakton Owl ID/Library Card Request Form that is available through the Library.

Yes and you can read the policy online. Inquiries regarding compliance with nondiscrimination policies and regulations should be directed to the Vice President for Student Affairs or the Chief Human Resources Officer.

Call 847.635.1600.

Yes. Oakton College practices zero tolerance toward violence and abusive behavior and takes such complaints very seriously.

To report bullying, harassment, discrimination, violence, or a hostile environment, complete and submit the online Incident Reporting Form. A Title IX investigator or conduct officer will respond to complaints within 72 hours of submission of the report.

LGBTQIA2+ people are disproportionately at risk of employment, housing, and food insecurity, various forms of violence and discrimination, and shunning or abandonment by family and other support networks. Oakton offers various services to help during difficult times.

Oakton offers Student Care Coordination through its Health and Wellness services. You can request an appointment (in person or virtual) with a Care Coordinator by emailing care@oakton.edu. 

They can connect you with various Community Support Resources in areas including but not limited to emotional distress/crisis, childcare, domestic violence/abuse, food pantry, homeless prevention, legal aid, and substance use treatment.

Students do not need to be referred by faculty/staff for Care Coordination. Undocumented students may also access Care Coordination. Students will never be turned away for support and services. Various statuses may impact student’s eligibility for external entitlements and benefits.

The information on this page will be periodically revised and expanded. Feel free to check back for more updates.

You can also email the Office of Access, Equity, and Diversity at oaed@oakton.edu.