Students’ union asks members not to use ‘he’ or ‘she’ without asking first as they don’t want to assume gender
The University of Sussex Students' Union has brought in the regulations for meetings, media and communications
A STUDENT union has asked members not to refer to people with 'he' or 'she' without first asking what pronouns they prefer, to avoid assumptions being made about a person’s gender.
The University of Sussex Student’s Union have brought in the regulations for each meeting, any media or communications.
Its Gender Inclusive Language Policy calls for students to state how they want to be referred to at the start to make sure they are not offended.
But in the event that introductions cannot be made or someone has not declared their sex, gender-neutral language has to be used.
'He' and 'she' would likely be replaced with 'they', while 'him' and 'her' would be swapped out for 'them' - though the union says it's always best to try and check someone's pronouns.
It declares: “The policy should be adopted by all Students’ Union staff and students participating in Union activities to promote the inclusion of non-binary individuals and transgender people who may not be read as the gender they identify with, and to avoid making assumptions about anyone’s gender identity.
“The policy aims to promote equality across all the genders, and reduce the impact that gender has on education and participation in the Students’ Union.
“If a person’s pronouns have not been stated, gender neutral language must be used. Once stated, a person’s pronouns must be respected.”
The University of Sussex SU is said to be one of the first to bring in the new far-ranging policy.
They are so serious about the change that cases of persistent “misgendering” should be reported to union officers, who will investigate.
Preferred pronouns also have to be checked before any student media interviews, society meetings and neutral language used in all union communications and social media posts.
Staff at union shops must be trained in gender neutral language at their induction, and uniforms must not be gendered.
But students have been quick to react on social media, with some slamming the rules as too extreme.
Jay Newton wrote on Facebook: “People wonder why Trump got votes in. I’m all for equality but if a small minority of social justice warriors keep pushing their extremist views onto society then people will be inclined to take drastic measures to defend their own values.”
Others have defended the move as a positive step for inclusion.
Chelsea Murfitt wrote: “FemSoc has been doing names/pronouns rounds before meetings for a long time and I can assure you it’s not that much of a drag haha.
“It’s actually a lovely way to make people feel welcome and included, especially if it’s their first time joining us [sic].”
Thea Watson added: “As well as being inclusive towards non-binary or trans* people it’s also beneficial for men and women: abolishing gendered uniform means women don’t HAVE to wear skirts if they don’t want to.
“Not assuming gender before interviews, very good for someone with a unisex name like Ashley or something.
“Also, seeing as most major government offices have implemented gender-neutral pronouns and languages it’s easier on bureaucracy to bring this in too.”
Sussex Students' Union explained: "The gender inclusive language policy created by students and agreed by Students’ Union Council simply asks people not to make assumptions about people’s gender identity or how they'd like to be addressed.
"This simple shift aims to make Union activities more accessible.
"Students are welcome to use the pronouns they’d like, including she/her/he/him/they/them. These words are frequently used in Union meetings, activities and publications and they can continue to be."