Administrators at University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill are striving to use more “gender inclusive language” by no longer referring to their first year of students as freshmen.
“Consistent with that commitment, gender inclusive terms (chair; first year student; upper-level student, etc.) should be used on University documents, websites and policies,” read a statement by administrators to Campus Reform.
Their reasoning is that getting rid of language like “freshman” will create a more welcoming environment for everyone attending the institution.
The policy change actually went into effect in 2009, but started to receive high attention after John Stossel, libertarian news personality, mentioned it on his show this month. Ever since, students have spoken out, expressing their opinions over the changes in official documents.
UNC – Chapel Hill students do not agree with the university’s reasoning. They do not believe that the term excludes anyone on campus.
“I feel like they are making a big deal out of nothing. Girls are not going to deem the word as sexist,” said Brandon Hartness, the executive vice chair of the school’s chapter of College Republicans, to Campus Reform. “I feel like most people don’t even think about it.”
This change seems to have received a negative reaction from students, despite the administrators’ intentions.
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