Trans at Wright State
On this page:
- Why Pronouns Matter
- Chosen Name and Pronoun Resource for Students
- Additional Gender Prounouns Resources
- Gender Inclusive Housing
Why Pronouns Matter
An increasing number of college students are developing their identities as transgender and gender non-conforming. The LBGTQA Center recognizes that many faculty members are eager to provide a safe and welcoming environment for their students, but may not have had the opportunity to access information about the needs and experiences of different populations of students on campus.
In an effort to foster a less stressful environment for the student, we encourage and ask you to respect a student’s gender identities and/or gender expressions and make a conscious effort to use their chosen name and pronouns when referring to them.
For many transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, the lack of congruity between their gender identity and their sex assigned at birth can create stress and anxiety which can be magnified in the context of an unfamiliar classroom setting. Providing an inclusive environment will enhance academic success for transgender and gender non-conforming students, but ensure compliance with Wright State’s non-discrimination policy requiring us to not discriminate on the basis of gender identity and/or gender expression.
What is a pronoun?
A pronoun is a word that a person uses to identify themselves. For example, if Jamie’s pronouns are she, her, and hers, you would say “Jamie ate her food because she was hungry.” The most commonly used pronouns include she, her, hers and he, him, his. These are often referred to as female/feminine and male/masculine pronouns.
However some people avoid these male/female labels, and instead, prefer to use gender-neutral pronouns or simply request that they be referred to by their first name instead of a pronoun. Some of the most common gender-neutral pronouns and the applications of such are as follows. These may seem grammatically challenging at first, but can be utilized effortlessly with commitment and practice.
- They, them, theirs—Jamie ate their food because they were hungry.
- Ze, hir—Jamie ate hir food because ze was hungry.
- Ze is pronounced like “zee” can also be spelled zie or xe. It can be used to replace she/he/they.
- Hir is pronounced like “here” and can replace her/hers/him/his/they/theirs.
Not using a student’s correct name and pronouns can make the student feel disrespected, can potentially out this student to their peers, and can create a classroom environment that could be very difficult for them to thrive in.
We understand that pronouns and their usage for a person may be new to you and that is okay! One of the best ways to create an inclusive learning environment is to utilize your resources to become knowledgeable and stay up to date about these issues. We are available to help answer any questions you may have about student-specific needs or general questions you may have. We also offer a wide array of training options which are available in an effort to help the Wright State campus become as inclusive as possible.
Chosen Name and Pronoun Resource for Students
Feel free to print out and use the chosen name and pronoun handout (PDF). This is a great resource to use for the first week of classes to give to your instructors and professors so that they use your chosen name and pronouns on the first day. There are also printed copies of this resource in the LGBTQA Community Engagement Room.
Name Change
Preferred Name Change Process
You can also list a preferred first name at Wright State University. For example, if you wanted to be called Cary Doe instead of Caroline Doe or Dana Smith instead of Dan Smith, you may have indicated that on your admissions form and it would it would be listed in the university directory and your outgoing email. Official documents will continue to read your full legal name, but internal documents and programs will have the preferred name.
Fill out the request for preferred (chosen) name change form. This form will also allow you to have your chosen name reflected on our Wright1 card and show up in WINGS Express.
Legal Name Change Process
There is a legal name change process you can take to have your name changed on legal documents. Student Legal Services is a great resource that will help support you in navigating a legal name change. Once you complete your legal name change, you can complete the request to change name form (legal name change) to have your chosen legal name reflected within the university.
Additional Gender Prounouns Resources
Gender Inclusive Housing
Gender Inclusive Housing (GIH) includes all campus apartment communities: College Park, Forest Lane, University Park, The Village, Honors, and The Woods. These housing communities are where friends of different genders, regardless of their sexual orientation, can live together. It is also considered a safe environment for the LGBTQA community.
For full consideration, each student must complete the mixed gender housing application and pay or defer the $150 prepayment no later than February 9. When completing the application, submit your roommate names and UIDs. After February 9, you can still submit the application and $150 prepayment, but applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis and depend on apartment availability. Students are not assigned to mixed-gender housing communities without their prior request. If a vacancy results from a student who does not return to Wright State and/or campus housing, you must identify replacements, or risk losing the opportunity to participate in mixed gender housing.
Gender-Inclusive Apartments
- One resident is assigned to each of the two or four bedrooms in the apartment.
- Residents will share the bathroom(s), a kitchen, and a living/dining room.
- Residents must fill the apartment to capacity (two or four residents, depending on the community).
Gender-Inclusive Residence Halls*
- Residents must fill the room to capacity (one, two, or three residents depending on the community and room type)
- Residents will share the bathroom
- Residents must fill the entire suite (depending on the room type and community).
*not available in Hamilton Hall
For more information, please contact housing@wright.edu.
