Transgender Issues in Higher Education Jack Miner Director of Operations University Registrar

What does transgender mean? Why is this a higher education issue? Life Cycle of a Student

Transgender Umbrella term for anyone whose gender identity or expression differs from the norm. Transgender is the “accepted” term for a range of ways that someone may self- identify.

Gender versus Sex Sex is more aligned with biological makeup and anatomy Gender is more aligned with personal identification, expression, and social construct.

Transsexual Have physical characteristics of one sex but identify as the opposite gender. Often seek to modify their body through hormones or surgery so the physical matches the psychological or emotional. Term is not used as frequently as Transgender.

Transgender Cross Dressers: Comfortable with their perceived birth sex and gender but enjoy dressing in clothing traditionally worn by the opposite gender. Drag Queens (and Drag Kings): Comfortable with their perceived birth sex and gender but dress in the opposite gender clothing for entertainment. Both fall into the Transgender umbrella but these individuals usually do not consider themselves transgender.

Transitioning Process of modifying one’s personal appearance or presentation to match their gender identity.

Transgender Frequency Between 1 in 250 and 1 in 500. Equally distribution who are Male to Female as Female to Male. More Male to Female seek surgery

Why Higher Education? Students who have transitioned by the time the arrive on campus: 8% of Female to Male Transgender students have transitioned by 18 5% of Male to Female Transgender students have transitioned by 18 Students who transition while college aged (18-24) 50% of Female to Male Transgender people transition between the ages of 18 and 24 Only 20% of Male to Female Transgender people transition during this period. These rates are increasing rapidly each year the survey is taken.

Life Cycle of a Student Prospect Applicant New Student Continuing Student Alumni

Prospect Foundation of Support Infrastructure

Prospect Non-Discrimination Policy Include Sexual Orientation Include Gender Identity and Expression

Prospect Community Profile on Transgender Issues Institutional visibility on GLBT issues Marketing to GLBT community Arts, Speakers, Athletics Outreach to GLBT Community Visibility of GLBT faculty, staff, and alumni Connection with local organizations

Prospect Video

Prospect CampusPride.org – Top 25 GLBT universities in the country Advocate Magazine Top 10 university for GLBT students Best university for transgender students Out Magazine Best GLBT college town Human Rights Campaign Equality Index Top rated hospital for GLBT community

Prospect “Niche Trickery”

Applicant GLBT inclusion in marketing materials GLBT college fairs GLBT Visit Day Education for recruitment team including alumni recruiters

Applicant GLBT inclusion in marketing materials

Applicant GLBT inclusion in marketing materials GLBT college fairs GLBT Visit Day Education for recruitment team including alumni recruiters

Applicant Scholarships Financial Aid staff with expertise Federal Aid No Match Letters Selective Service Registration (state schools)

Applicant Application Form Common Application Parent (rather than mother & father) How do you ask sex and gender?

Applicant Sex: Male and Female Gender: Man and Woman Should you include “other” with the option to self identify? Should you include other options as a drop down (transgender, intersex, genderqueer, MTF, FTM, Pre-operative, Post-operative)? Should you ask for a preferred pronoun?

Applicant What does your database support? Statistical Tracking and Points of Pride. Who has access to the data?

Applicant Single Sex Schools Faith Affiliated Schools

New Student Customer Service and Interaction Train staff just in case Be respectful and discrete Use the appropriate pronoun Do not “out” them Make any processes or questions as routine as possible Don’t ask about genitals…really this happens Don’t assume their sexual orientation If you are unsure of anything…ask

New Student Residence Hall Options Housing Room Assignments Athletic Eligibility

New Student Transgender Friendly Restrooms Map Feature

Continuing Students Name Changes Preferred Name Sex and Gender Marker Changes

Preferred Name Documentation or Not? Self Service or Not? Where does it appear? Where does the legal name appear? Student ID Cards

Sex and Gender Marker Changes Documentation Where does it appear? Archive data access Reporting

Continuing Students Academic Programs Transgender Studies GLBT Studies or History Sexuality Studies Study Abroad and Internships Contribution to the body of knowledge

Continuing Students Academic Support Academic Counselors Faculty Connections Research Opportunities

Continuing Students Student Programming Transgender student groups GLBT student groups Transgender Awareness Week GLBT Student Programs Office Visibility on campus

Continuing Students Student Life Support Student Health Services Doctors who specialize in this community Connection to local resources and agencies

Continuing Students Institutional Policies Insurance coverage (student and faculty/staff) Medical Center connections Medical Leave Polices related to larger GLBT community

Alumni Rainbow Graduation Identify GLBT alumni in alumni and donor prospect databases Opportunities to connect with current students

Alumni Opportunities to network Opportunities to give back Opportunities to connect with current students Expectation of Leadership Community Engagement

Questions?

Jack Miner Director of Operations University Registrar The Ohio State University (614)