[lg policy] UK: Sussex are enforcing a gender neutral language policy across the SU

[Harold Schiffman]

 Exclusive: Sussex are enforcing a gender neutral language policy across
the SU
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<https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://thetab.com/uk/sussex/2016/12/21/sussex-enforcing-gender-neutral-language-policy-across-su-15675>
Kyle Farrell <http://thetab.com/author/kylefarrell>

Gender neutral language must be used where an individual’s pronouns are not
known

Sussex Union Council, made up of elected student representatives, has
implemented a ‘gender inclusive policy’ meaning that SU media, outlets, and
meetings are all required to use gender neutral language.

In an email sent out to Sussex students yesterday, recipients were informed
that a person’s pronoun preference must be known before any official SU
event or meeting. Societies must also confirm individual’s pronoun
preference, and not assume all members will want to be refereed as ‘he’ or
‘she’.

The policy stated: “Students’ Union meetings, Students’ Union events,
Students’ Union campaigns, Students’ Union societies, Students’ Union
volunteering schemes, where appropriate, pronouns must be stated at the
beginning of every meeting, even if they have been stated at previous
meetings. Gender neutral language must be used where an individual’s
pronouns are not known.”

[image: 019344_2bca18ea]

Falling under the Students’ Union umbrella, Sussex student media The
Badger, URF and UniTV must also abide to the gender neutral language policy.

The email read: “Gender neutral language must be used by all student media.
When conducting interviews, an individual’s gender must not be assumed and
gender neutral language should be used if pronouns are not known. Where
possible, pronouns should be checked before interviews.”

The email continued: “Students’ Union outlets – Gender neutral language
should be used by all staff in the Students’ Union and this policy should
be included as part of their induction. Uniforms for the outlets should not
be gendered.

“Students’ Union communications – Gender neutral language must be used on
USSU social media, news stories, and newsletters.

“Students’ Union elections- Gender neutral must be used by all those
involved in elections and election candidates will be briefed on this
policy prior to elections.

“Gender inclusivity training will be given to all elected officers and any
relevant staff members as part of their induction. The training will be
developed in consultation with Gender Liberation Sussex.”

The full policy write up can be found here
<https://www.sussexstudent.com/democracy/policies/gender-inclusive-language/>
.

Sussex outlets have also stated that their employees can message them to
change their pronouns on their payslips.

Third year politics student, Oliver, said: “Isn’t it a bit much stating
everyone’s pronouns at the beginning of meetings?”

Foundation Social Science student, AJ, added: “I think that’s a great way
for the SU to make the university more inclusive and comfortable for all
students.”

Sussex University are the first institute to create a gender neutral
language policy. This month, Oxford University allegedly told students to
use gender pronouns
<http://thetab.com/uk/oxford/2016/12/12/su-leaflet-tells-oxford-students-use-ze-rather-stop-transgender-discrimination-27606>
such as ‘ze’ instead of ‘he’ or ‘she’ to stop transgender
discrimination, however
the Students’ Union denied the claim
<https://www.theguardian.com/education/2016/dec/13/oxford-student-union-denies-telling-students-to-use-gender-neutral-pronoun>
.

*Sussex SU has been approach for comment.*


*http://thetab.com/uk/sussex/2016/12/21/sussex-enforcing-gender-neutral-language-policy-across-su-15675
<http://thetab.com/uk/sussex/2016/12/21/sussex-enforcing-gender-neutral-language-policy-across-su-15675>*


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