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Show FEATURE 8 Students lead initiative to use gender neutral language RACHEL TERRAN STAFF REPORTER During the first week of school, many members of the Westminster community wore pronoun buttons, picked up informational brochures about pronouns and gave introductions using their pronouns. Bringing awareness to how individuals identify is part of the Gender Neutral Language Initiative at Westminster, a student-run effort to create awareness on campus about pronouns and gender identity. Westminster senior Levi Barrett led the creation of the pronoun buttons and informational brochures for the campus community and said the college provided full funding for the project. I thought it was necessary to do because first of all, pronouns are very important especially for gender nonconforming people, Barrett said. I felt as though if the school wasnt going to do that education, I wanted to take it into my own hands and start a big campaign to help bring awareness to pronouns and why people should care. Tamara Stevenson is one of four faculty fellows working alongside students to create positive resources on campus. I hope it has been well received because students, in order for learning to happen, need ITS NICE THAT I'M to feel accepted in who they are ABLE JUST SAY and what they can I PRONOUNS bring to learning Some of the pronoun buttons say, ask me what my pronouns are, encouraging people to start a conversation. The other buttons display different pronouns, which people can choose in accordance to how they identify. The brochures, which sit alongside the buttons in the Dean of Students Office, include informa- TO WHAT environments, of gender neutral language, there will be a stronger campus community, according to Stevenson. I think Westminsters size and structure lends itself to be very responsive to making such shifts toward diversity and inclusion, such as making the institution more aware of gender neutral language, Stevenson said. Title IX CoorJason Schwartz-Johnsodinator, said the conversation around gender neutral language isnt new but has been n, organizational increasing. There has been a commitment to these issues for a long time, Schwartz-Johnso- n said. professor with insight into how organizations might receiving positive atKYLER SALAZAR Junior sociology major shift toward using tention campus-wid- e. neutral I think it cergender language. tainly has generated Such shifts take time, Stevenson said. some conversations around the campus, and With ongoing practice and awareness, I have had faculty and staff ask me more about this, Feme said. Overall, I think such shifts can be embedded in organizae tional practice. campus-widpeople have been positively If the conversation continues the use receiving the student initiative. Any time we update a policy, website or any official document, we have been incorporating gender neutral language. Title IX is an important part of ensuring an inclusive environment for all students arid employees and goes hand in hand with the pronoun movement, according to S chwartz-- J ohnson. Title IX outlines protections that we all have so that we are not discriminated against because of our sex, and gender identification falls under that, Schwartz-Joh- tion about what pronouns are and why they are important. Mark Feme, dean of students, said the initiative seems to be PREFER SO PEOPLE ARE AWARE AND IT OPENS UP A DIALOGUE, Stevenson Stevenson said. is an communication nn n- |