Binghamton University should allow its students to select a third, gender-neutral option when filling out official forms and documents.
Right now, students may select one of two genders: male or female. There are, however, students who do not fall under this binary and often prefer alternative pronouns. Providing a third gender option for students would help to create an inclusive environment in which transgender and genderqueer students feel comfortable.
BU already offers gender-inclusive housing, recognizing that same-sex room assignments are not ideal or appropriate for all students. To offer this without allowing students to choose a third gender seems counterintuitive. Students may live on this campus for four years; it is incumbent upon the administration to take every student’s needs into account to make those years here meaningful.
The progress made at University of Vermont provides a model for gender-neutral recognition. At UVM, students can enter their preferred pronouns into the University database. Their information is then made available to all faculty. Before a student enters the classroom, their instructor is made aware of this student’s preferred pronoun. Under such a system, non-binary students no longer need to approach professors individually and ask for recognition of their gender identity. Institutional recognition removes this unnecessary burden from students, and it creates a legitimate avenue for gender presentation.
Students select a gender-neutral option at any point over the course of their college careers. This is beneficial, as college is a formative period during which many explore their identity. The University should do everything in its power to foster a positive environment for discovery. Flexibility encourages students to express themselves.
The recognition of a gender-neutral option is beneficial for every Binghamton student, whatever gender option they choose to select. Even with the media’s recent attention toward trans issues, most students do not fully understand gender identity. Formal recognition of a third option creates the space for discussion and education.
And what does it cost? We wracked our brains trying to find some opposition point to address and came up empty. It will cost hardly anything to implement this policy, and no one but those who need it will even be affected.
Legislating — and writing about — gender is not always easy, as it is new territory for many administrators (and many of us). As the language of inclusivity evolves, we all need to find ways to incorporate it in our institutions and daily lives. Mistakes will inevitably be made as we collectively embrace changing attitudes. Let’s establish an atmosphere where we can recognize, correct and improve. Let’s start with the simple step of fixing a form.