Ohio University’s progressive attitude has been demonstrated with new pronoun policy
This year Ohio University has taken a small but vital step toward being a more socially aware and progressive university.
OU announced that starting this fall, students will have the opportunity to choose their name and/or pronoun for the university’s registrar. That change has become very common in higher education, but it is important to note that OU is one of the few schools to include pronouns within the policy.
I had the pleasure of interviewing the LGBT Center’s director, Delfin Bautista, on the new policy and what it means for the university. They believes the policy to be an exciting change and is proud that the university is “living up to its commitment to diversity and making sure that all students feel respected and affirmed while on campus.”
Although the university’s policy has shown the school’s compliance with students that are gender variant, there are still students and faculty members that do not agree with it. Bautista stated that “all of us on campus have the right to feel safe and to walk across the university, to be in the classroom and not fear for our life or fear that we’re going to be dehumanized in some way whether you’re an LGBT+ student, female student, student of color, international student or white-athletic-frat boy.” To sum it up, there should not have to be a designated safe zone. A basic human right is a sense of refuge.
Discrimination has caused the loss of many people struggling with self-expression. This hate has led to murders and suicides, especially of transgender women of color, making it a concerning issue for OU and the students and faculty.
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Bautista believes that the issue of discrimination “can be reduced through raising awareness of the policy and the variances of gender, educating the students and faculty and making impacts on more areas of campus, such as the input of gender inclusive spaces.” They also informed me that some progressiveness has already begun with the construction on campus.
To students who have questions, Bautista is more than happy to meet and explore the possibilities. They also wants everyone to know that “ultimately, there is no rush to dive into the policy.” One must understand that all students, undergraduate as well as graduate, are exploring who they are and so thinking about it doesn’t necessarily mean one must immediately change their name and/or pronouns. A student or faculty member could take the semester, a couple weeks or even a year to make the decision. The policy and the LGBT community will be there when they’re ready to take advantage of it.
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“Sort of the tagline for this university is ‘the best student-centered learning experience’ and I think this policy is another way of living up to that phrase and guiding motto,” Bautista said.
For information on name and/or pronoun policies and definitions check out: http://transequality.org/issues/resources/model-school-district-policy-transgender-and-gender-non-conforming-students.
Elizabeth Chidlow is a sophomore studying journalism, social media and business. She is also a student affiliate for the American Association of Undergraduate Women (AAUW). What do you think are the most important social issues facing the Ohio University community? Email her at ec629914@ohio.edu.
