The problem at a school like JCU is not necessarily about recognition of student groups or gay faculty. Rather, the student body is largely white, upper-middle class conservative Catholics. So, as you might imagine, even those students who are gay often do not acknowledge it publicly.

What Carroll has going for it is a close-knit community whereby in time this important growth can be fostered productively. The school should also benefit from its Jesuit heritage which has often been a step ahead in promoting social change.

Notre Dame, a school that also forbade LGBT student groups, published an alumni cover story a couple years back on gay issues entitled “The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name.” Many conservative alumni, including some with deep pockets, did not appreciate the publication. But it was an important step for a prominent leader in Catholic higher ed.