Moving Forward

A Survey of Policies Affecting

Transgender & Gender Non-Conforming Students at Columbia University, Best Practices at Peer Institutions,

and Recommendations for the Future

Prepared by the Columbia Law School Sexuality and Gender Law Clinic

May 2015

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Foreword

We first began gathering information about the policies and practices that affect transgender and gender non-conforming students at Columbia in the winter of 2014, as part of a project for the Columbia Law School Sexuality and Gender Law Clinic. We were happily surprised to discover that many policies were already trans-friendly. Individuals within their own schools and communities had been working and continue to work toward inclusive policies. More remains to be done, of course, and we have come to realize that the primary inhibitor to change is a matter of disconnection; the various stakeholders who seek to improve life for transgender and gender non-conforming students at Columbia are largely isolated from each other. Moreover, Columbia University’s decentralized administrative structure exacerbates the physical separation among Columbia’s many schools and multiple campuses. This report reflects the hard work of students, professors, and administrators at Columbia over the past year. News of the project has already sparked efforts to reform systems and policies throughout the University in ways that will improve the lives of students at Columbia. We hope that this project is just one step in an ongoing process to regularly reassess how Columbia can best serve its diverse student body, in particular members of Columbia’s LGBTQ community. We would like to personally thank Professor Suzanne Goldberg, the Director of the Sexuality and Gender Law Clinic, for her thoughtful guidance and endless support.* -Ethan Weinberg, CLS ’15 & Helen Ethridge, CLS ’15 Report Co-Editors

* Professor Goldberg became the Special Advisor on Sexual Assault Prevention and Response to Columbia’s President in July 2014 and Executive Vice President for University Life in January 2015. This report reflects the views and recommendations of the students of the 2013-14 Sexuality and Gender Law Clinic.

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Table of Contents Introduction 4 Information Gathering: Transgender Students at Columbia University 6 Best Practices for a Trans-Friendly University: Looking to Columbia’s Peer Institutions 18 The Clinic’s Proposals 27 Glossary 29

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Introduction Transgender1 students face significant and unique challenges at colleges and universities around the United States, including at Columbia University. These obstacles include barriers to changing school records and accounts; a lack of appropriate facilities such as bathrooms, locker rooms, and housing; and a lack of institutional support and understanding from administrators, faculty, medical and counseling staff, and student life coordinators. This report attempts to consolidate current policies and practices across the University in a wide variety of areas, identify the best practices in use at Columbia and some of Columbia’s peer institutions and other leaders of trans-friendly higher education, and make recommendations for Columbia going forward. The report begins by examining the policies at Columbia’s various schools. Several policies that govern all schools at the University exemplify the best practices available, such as Columbia’s broad and inclusive anti-discrimination policy. Other university-wide policies are lagging, such as the rigorous requirements for name changes. Some of Columbia’s schools have undertaken individual efforts to make their schools inclusive and supportive environments for transgender students. Still, even at some of these schools, policies are difficult to find online or in person. By contrast, we found that Teachers College stands out for the accessibility of its resources as well as its commitment to diversity and preparedness of its faculty and staff to handle transgender issues. The report then explores some of the best practices at Columbia’s peer institutions throughout the country and at other schools that have been particularly successfully in implementing trans-friendly policies. The practices in place at many of these schools offer guidance for Columbia and other universities to take their commitment to their transgender community members to the next level. The report concludes by applying the best practices located at other schools to the policies and policy gaps at Columbia. Accessibility and centralization are key parts of our proposals since there is little benefit in having meaningful, progressive policies that students struggle to find. We hope that these proposed policies will spark conversation and new ideas as the Columbia community comes together to make its campuses as welcoming and supportive as possible. We would like to note the good work that has already been done at Columbia with regard to transgender issues and the broader LGBTQ community. Specifically, this report builds on the efforts captured in the LGBT Health Initiative’s guide to resources and programs at Columbia, and the Queer and Trans Resource Guide produced by the student group Everyone Allied Against Homophobia.2 We would also like to acknowledge Lea Robinson, the former Assistant 1 For clarity and brevity, this report will use the term “transgender” to refer broadly to all variants of gender identity, expression, and non-conformity. The authors understand that this is inherently generalizing, and in no way intend to denigrate or disrespect the broad array of gender identities that students embrace. 2 LGBT Health Initiative, http://gendersexualityhealth.org/LGBT/LGBTHealthOverview.html, last visited Jan. 24, 2015; Queer and Trans Resource Guide 2013-14, http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/sites/dsa/files/handbooks/Queer%20and%20Trans%20Resource%20Guide.pdf, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. Find the most up-to-date version of the Queer Resource Guide at http://queer-resource-guide.tumblr.com/contents.

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Director of the undergraduate Office of Multicultural Affairs and the manager of LGBTQAA Programming and Advising, who was a helpful resource in the development of this report and an advocate for transgender students at Columbia. Lea, along with other campus administrators including University Chaplain Jewelnel Davis, coordinated a discussion in April 2014 to explore the issues facing the transgender community at Columbia and successfully brought together key players from various departments throughout the University; we hope discussions like those at this event will continue to take place. The 2013-14 Columbia Law School Sexuality and Gender Law Clinic Ethan Weinberg ’15 Helen Ethridge ’15 Chance Goldberg ’15 Sharon Hickey LLM ’14 Rebecca Ramaswamy ’15 Olena Ripnick-O’Farrell ’14 Asmita Singh LLM ’14 Laura Lee Timko ’14 Carrie Tirrell ’15

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Information Gathering: Transgender Students at Columbia University

The section below describes policies that relate to gender identity and expression at Columbia University and its affiliated schools. Members of the Sexuality and Gender Law Clinic explored school websites and conducted interviews with administrators and staff throughout the University, and the material below represents our best understanding of policies and procedures as they currently stand. Existing policies were identified and compiled, but a school’s lack of formal policies is not noted here, as this report is intended to encourage Columbia’s various units in a more positive direction. Individual school policies that supplement general University policies are included. Some policies and programs that also affect Barnard College, Jewish Theological Seminary, and Union Theological Seminary are included, but research focused primarily on Columbia’s schools. The following acronyms are used to identify Columbia’s various schools, departments, and offices throughout the report: Barnard College BC Columbia Business School CBS Columbia College CC College of Dental Medicine CDM Columbia Journalism School CJS Columbia Law School CLS College of Physicians and Surgeons CPS School of Nursing CSN School of General Studies GS Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation GSAPP Jewish Theological Seminary JTS School of Continuing Education SCE School of Engineering and Applied Sciences SEAS School of International and Public Affairs SIPA School of the Arts SoA School of Public Health SPH School of Social Work SSW Teachers College TC Union Theological Seminary UTS Columbia University Information Technology CUIT Gay Health Advocacy Project GHAP Office of Multicultural Affairs OMA Special Interest Community SIC University Apartment Housing UAH

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Anti-discrimination Columbia University’s Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action administers the university-wide anti-discrimination policies. Both the Student and Employment Policies and Procedures on Discrimination and Harassment recognize discrimination and harassment based on gender identity and expression as a violation. Both policies also reference the New York City Human Rights Law, Chapter 1, Section 8-107, which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and expression, among other categories, in public accommodations. The student policy also references New York Education Law, Section 313, which prohibits educational institutions from discriminating in admissions, including based on sex, although that law does not explicitly include gender identity or expression.3 Some individual schools also have their own anti-discrimination policies. For example:

• The anti-discrimination policy at Teachers College (TC) states that TC does not discriminate based on a broad set of protected categories including gender expression as well as any other criterion specified by federal, state, or local laws, in the administration of its admissions, employment, and educational policies or scholarship, loan, athletic, and other school-administered programs.4

Records Correction When students change their gender expression after entering Columbia, regardless of whether they have undergone surgery or hormonal treatment, they may want their school records to accurately reflect their gender identity. Alumni/ae may also express a gender different from that which they expressed when they attended Columbia and similarly want the gender references updated in their records.5 Columbia’s various policies to update such records are as follows:

Names The University Registrar manages name changes for any programs and records that are controlled by the student information system, including transcripts and diplomas. Students, including transgender students, cannot change their names without a legal name change. Alumni who want to change their records and receive a new diploma must show evidence of a legal name change.6 The policy requires students and alums to complete and submit a notarized Name Change Affidavit along with a copy of a government-issued photo ID and another form of ID. In addition, students and alums must also provide proof of former legal name by submitting

3 Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action: Documents, http://eoaa.columbia.edu/resources/documents, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 4 Teachers College: Non Discrimination, http://www.tc.columbia.edu/student-handbook/preface/non-discrimination-policy/, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 5 At the time of this report’s publication, members of the Sexuality and Gender Law Clinic are in talks with the University Registrar to explore ways to update campus systems to be more accommodating to transgender and gender non-conforming students and alums. 6 Phone interview with Jennifer Caplan, Associate Registrar, Apr. 17, 2014.

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a credit card, University ID, marriage certificate, bank statement, or other form of identification.7 Gender Unlike the requirements to change a name in University records, the University Registrar does not require any legal documentation to change a student’s gender in the student information system.8 Email Columbia University Information Technology (CUIT), which governs the policies on the Morningside Campus, cannot change student UNIs/emails except in extreme cases, such as when the assigned UNI spells something inappropriate. Some individual schools utilize vanity email addresses that effectively forward mail to the UNI account, and they vary in how much control they have over their school’s vanity email system.9 Students on the Health Sciences campus can change the name displayed and associated with their UNI emails through a formal process involving a name change affidavit.10 Most students use Lionmail, and are thus able to change the display name in Lionmail through their “Send mail as” Gmail settings. This allows students to use a preferred name in their campus emails even though the UNI is static.11

Examples of Related Policies at Individual Schools

• TC has supported at least two enrolled students through gender transition and accommodated the students with changed names and emails. TC can change official records as soon as a student presents a documented legal name change, though professors recognized students’ pronoun preferences without any formal procedures.12

• At Columbia Law School (CLS), students can assign nicknames on LawNet (CLS’s student portal) and can change their emails so that a preferred name is shown. However, the use of a preferred name does not override an email recipient’s ability to see a student’s legal name. Additionally, financial aid is tied to scholastic records and federal law requires that a legal name is used.13

7 University Registrar: Name and Address Changes, http://registrar.columbia.edu/content/name-and-address-changes, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 8 Phone interview with Jennifer Caplan, Associate Registrar, Apr. 17, 2014. 9 Phone interview with CUIT staff, Apr. 22, 2014. 10 Phone interview with Daniella Gonzalez, Student Representative at College of Physicians Surgeons (CPS) Student Services, Apr. 28, 2014. 11 Name and Address Changes, http://www.lionmail.columbia.edu, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 12 Phone interview with Jolene Lane, Director of the Office for Diversity and Community Affairs, Apr. 15, 2014. 13 Interview with Michelle Greenberg-Kobrin, Dean of Students at Columbia Law School, Apr. 10, 2014.

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Education and Outreach The Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) features a LGBTQAA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, asexual, and allied) Resource Hub. In addition to the trainings discussed below, the OMA has consolidated an array of resources for transgender students, particularly aimed at undergraduates but helpful to all students.14 The OMA’s LGBTQAA Hub page also highlights additional programs and resources for students, such as a Lavender Graduation ceremony for LGBTQA graduates; a peer and alumni mentoring program; Students of Color mixers; Queer Awareness Month; and the Stephen Donaldson Lounge, a lounge for the LGBTQAA community (located in the basement of Furnald Hall on the Morningside campus).15 Programming options were being redeveloped and expanded at the time of publication, under the direction of Columbia’s new manager of LGBTQAA Programming and Advising Chris Woods.16 Additionally, individual schools within the University have their own sets of education and outreach policies that reflect a commitment to transgender students in admissions and student life. Relevant Policies at Individual Schools

• GSAS plans to launch a diversity website that would include information relevant to transgender students, and intends to start holding workshops with students to best understand where resources are optimally utilized.17 GSAS also offers diversity fellowships for which transgender applicants might apply.18

• CBS recruits LGBT students through “Spotlight on: Cluster Q,” an event co-sponsored by Cluster Q, the Business School’s LGBT organization. Participants learn about LGBT student life at CBS and the admissions process.19 CBS won the MBA Ally challenge in 2013, a competition among business schools; the competition was sponsored by Friendfactor, a non-profit organization focused on recruiting allies’ support for LGBT issues across university and workplace communities.20 The Admissions Office also actively participates in CHecK uS Out, a multi-school admissions event for LGBT prospective business students organized by Columbia, Harvard, Northwestern, and Stanford that takes place in New York City and San Francisco each fall.21

14 Trans @ Columbia, http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/OMA/trans, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 15 LGBTQAA Programming, http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/OMA/aboutus/info4/lgbtq.php, last visited Jan. 24, 2014. 16 Email interview with Chris Woods, manager of LGBTQAA Programming and Advising, Feb. 2, 2015. 17 Interview with Andrea Morris, Assistant Dean of Academic Diversity at the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, Apr. 16, 2014. 18 New Provost’s Fellowships to Enhance Diversity in Columbia’s Graduate Schools, http://gsas.columbia.edu/news/new-provost%E2%80%99s-fellowships-enhance-diversity-columbia%E2%80%99s-graduate-schools, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 19 LGBT at Columbia, https://www8.gsb.columbia.edu/programs-admissions/why-a-columbia-mba/community/diversity-columbia/lgbt, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 20 What We Do, http://www.friendfactor.org/what-we-do, last visited Jan. 24, 2015; MBA Ally Challenge standings updated, Columbia pulls into lead, http://www.friendfactor.org/mba-ally-challenge-standings-updated-columbia-pulls-into-lead/, Dec. 12, 2013. 21 LGBT at Columbia, https://www8.gsb.columbia.edu/programs-admissions/why-a-columbia-mba/community/diversity-columbia/lgbt, last visited Jan. 24, 2015.

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• In conjunction with OMA, Columbia College (CC) and the Engineering School run Under1Roof, a mandatory program for first-year students in CC and the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) during orientation. Under1Roof “explores how we individually and collectively create an inclusive community at Columbia University. It provides the framework on how intergroup understanding and community building are achieved through continual engagement and education about the different social identities that all students bring to campus. It is the exciting beginning of a sustained dialogue that will last throughout a student’s education here and beyond.”22

• TC’s diversity statement supplements its antidiscrimination policy with a focus on outreach: it aims to “establish Teachers College as an institution that actively attracts, supports and retains diverse students, faculty and staff at all levels, demonstrated through its commitment to social justice, its respectful and vibrant community and its encouragement and support of each individual in the achievement of his or her full potential.”23 In addition, the Admissions Office advertises both internal and external LGBTQ scholarships. The LGBTQ Diversity Scholarship offers $18,000 in tuition assistance for students interested in a career in health, education, or psychology that supports LGBTQ communities.24 The external Point Foundation provides scholarships to outstanding LGBT students, particularly those facing financial hardship.25 TC’s Career Services department includes LGBTQ resources.26

• The School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) website hosts “LGBT Resources” that link directly to the comprehensive guide produced by the LGBT Health Initiative.27

Housing Columbia College and the SEAS allow any sophomore, junior, or senior (who is over the age of 18) to live in Open Housing in any of Columbia’s undergraduate residence halls. Open Housing allows any two students to share a room, regardless of sex, gender, or gender expression. This option is also available to Barnard students who are 18 or older in the buildings that are part of the Columbia University/Barnard College (BC) exchange (East Campus, 47 Claremont, and Ruggles). Open Housing is not available to incoming students, including first-year, combined plan, and transfer students.28

22 Under1Roof, https://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/OMA/diversityed/u1r.php, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 23 The Office of the Vice President for Diversity and Community Affairs, http://www.tc.columbia.edu/administration/diversity/, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 24 LGBTQ Diversity Scholarship, http://www.tc.columbia.edu/admissions/financial-aid/financial-aid-sources/scholarships/, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 25 External Funding Sources, http://www.tc.columbia.edu/admissions/financial-aid/financial-aid-sources/external-funding-sources/, last visited Jan. 24, 2015; About The Point Foundation, http://www.pointfoundation.org/page.aspx?pid=584, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 26 Office of Career Services: LGBT Job Search, http://www.tc.columbia.edu/careerservices/index.asp?Id=Resources_Helpful+Websites&info=LGBT#LGBT ~ Helpful Resources, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 27 LGBT Health Initiative: Columbia LGBT Guide, http://gendersexualityhealth.org/LGBT/ColumbiaLGBTGuide.html, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 28 Open Housing, http://housing.columbia.edu/room-selection/options/open-housing, last visited Jan. 24, 2015.

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Students enrolled in other eligible programs (graduate and professional schools located on the Morningside Heights campus, transfer students in SEAS Undergraduate Combined Plan Program, and the American Language Program in the School of Continuing Education) live in University Apartment Housing (UAH).29 UAH accommodations include apartment shares, dormitory-style rooms, studio/efficiency units, and one- or two-bedroom/family units. Most apartment shares are single-sex. Dormitory-style rooms are either private or semi-private (two students per room) and most floors and suites are co-ed.30 There is no policy specific to transgender students. Students at TC are housed through TC Office of Residential Services, outside of UAH. TC students have a private bedroom, though some apartments share amenities such as a bathroom and/or kitchen. Multi-bedroom apartments are all single-gender. TC students are assigned rooms based on gender identity, which corresponds to however a student chooses to identify, regardless of surgery, hormones, or legal name change.31 Students on the CUMC campus can apply to live in single-gender or mixed-gender suites, in addition to single rooms. Students are assigned based on the gender they identify in their applications.32 Q House, a Special Interest Community (SIC), offers undergraduate sophomores, juniors, and seniors a welcoming residential environment for LGBTQ students. Q House also sponsors events for the larger Columbia University community that focus on fostering a community where all students feel welcome.33 Bathrooms OMA has posted a map of gender-inclusive restrooms on Columbia’s Morningside campus.34 Unfortunately, no information on the map was available regarding the specific location of those bathrooms within the multi-floored buildings. Signage

Some “gender-inclusive” bathrooms on campus are marked with a symbol of access and male and female characters, suggesting that they are for both genders, not necessarily someone who is transgender.

29 University Apartment Housing, http://facilities.columbia.edu/housing/overview, last visited May 14, 2014. 30 Types of Accommodations, http://facilities.columbia.edu/housing/types-accommodations-0, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 31 Email interview with Christina Montville, Associate Director of Residential Services and Card Services at TC, Apr. 28, 2014. 32 Phone interview with Maritza Pierret, Administrative Aide at CUMC Residential Services, Apr. 28, 2014. 33 Special Interest Communities, https://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/resprograms/sic, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 34 Gender Neutral Restrooms on Columbia’s Morningside Campus, http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/oma/gnmap, last visited Jan. 24, 2015.

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Columbia added gender-inclusive bathrooms to Lerner Hall, McBain, and John Jay during the summer of 2014. The undergraduate group GendeRevolution spearheaded this project; this change, the student organizers have said, is meant to be a “significant step towards making trans students feel more comfortable at Columbia.”35

Individual School Policies

• A gender-inclusive bathroom was added to Columbia Business School’s (CBS) Uris Hall for fall 2014. The new business school building on Columbia’s Manhattanville campus will also feature gender-inclusive bathrooms.36

• TC publicizes the location of its gender-inclusive bathrooms, which are located on the fifth floor of Grace Dodge, the ground floor of Macy Hall, and the first floor of Thompson Hall.37

• Columbia Journalism School (CJS) houses gender-inclusive bathrooms on floors 3 and 8.38

• CLS does not have an explicit, written policy but transgender students may use whatever bathroom they wish, without requirements for legal gender change or completed transition. There is a gender-inclusive bathroom on the third floor of CLS’s Jerome Greene Hall.39

Athletics Dodge Fitness Center, the primary athletic and exercise facility on Columbia’s Morningside campus, does not have an express transgender policy. Dodge serves students, faculty, and alumni/ae, who may use the locker room or bathroom of the gender with which they identify, regardless of their legal sex. There is a gender-inclusive bathroom on the second floor, but we found that Dodge staff had difficulty directing us to it. The gender-inclusive bathroom does not have a shower.40 Showers in the facility’s gym locker rooms have dividing curtains for privacy, though showers in the swimming locker rooms do not.41 There are no private changing areas in the locker rooms aside from bathroom stalls. 35 Gender-inclusive bathrooms coming to Lerner, John Jay, McBain, http://www.columbiaspectator.com/news/2014/04/02/gender-inclusive-bathrooms-coming-lerner-john-jay-mcbain, Apr. 2, 2014; Email interview with GendeRevolution, Nov. 21, 2014. 36 Comment from Marnie Florin at Chaplain’s Meeting: Issues Faced by the Transgender Community at CU, Apr. 30, 2014; Email interview with Marnie Florin ‘14, CBS, Apr. 29, 2014; Email interview with August Du Pont ’15, CBS, Oct. 22, 2014. 37 Gender Neutral Restroom Facilities, http://www.tc.columbia.edu/administration/diversity/index.asp?Id=Gender+Neutral+Restroom+Facilities&Info=Gender+Neutral+Restroom+Facilities, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 38 Orientation Booklet, http://www.journalism.columbia.edu/system/documents/475/original/PTOrientationBooklet.pdf, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 39 Interview with Michelle Greenberg-Kobrin, Dean of Students at Columbia Law School, Apr. 10, 2014. 40 Phone Interview with Erich Ely, Associate Athletics Director for Facilities Operations, May 9, 2014. 41 Interview with Dodge Fitness Center staff, May 13, 2014.

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Staff Preparedness The LGBTQA Resource Hub within the Office of Multicultural Affairs offers various training programs and workshops to community members regarding LGBTQAA issues generally as well as transgender issues specifically. The Trans 101 workshop “provides a background and basic understanding of trans issues, explores language, and provides an opportunity to discuss concrete suggestions and ideas for better serving and supporting trans communities on campus.”42 The Trans 101 workshop is one of several workshops in the CU Safe Zone program, an OMA training program through which straight-identified allies and LGBTQAA people can actively express solidarity with the LGBTQAA community at Columbia University. CU Safe Zone members display a CU Safe Zone symbol outside their offices to signify that their space is safe to talk about LGBTQAA issues. All students, faculty and staff can undergo CU Safe Zone training through new member and continuing education sessions.43 TC posts a list of faculty and staff who have undergone CU Safe Zone (formerly CU SpeakOut) training.44

Additionally, the Academic Affairs & Diversity office at Columbia’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Institute has recently instituted a “You Are Welcome Here” sticker program that allows administrators and faculty to indicate their support for the LGBT community and promote inclusiveness by posting stickers in their offices.45

Medical In April 2014, Columbia’s health center worked with Lea Robinson to add resources dedicated to the medical needs of transgender students to the LGBTQAA resource hub’s website.46 This website is a central database for Columbia undergraduates in particular, but is accessible by anyone in the Columbia community. The website aims to better publicize the health services and resources available to trans students.47 The Columbia Aetna insurance policy currently covers mental health counseling, hormone therapy, and sex reassignment surgery.48 There is general counseling for transgender students available at the health center, but specific counseling for transitioning individuals is not provided on campus (although the health center is equipped to give students referrals to outside counselors).49 Note that Counseling and Psychological Services provides counseling tailored to

42 CU Safe Zone–Trans 101, http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/Trans101Eval, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 43 CU Safe Zone, http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/OMA/diversityed/speakout.php, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 44 LGBT Concerns, http://www.tc.columbia.edu/diversity/index.asp?Id=LGBTQA+Concerns+-+CU+SpeakOUT&Info=CU+SpeakOUT+-+TC+Safe+Zones+Training+List+of+Participants, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 45 Email from Kuheli Dutt, Assistant Director of Academic Affairs & Diversity, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Feb. 20, 2015. 46 Trans @ Columbia, http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/OMA/trans, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 47 Interview with Daniel Chiarilli, Assistant Director of Gay Health Advocacy Project, Mar. 12, 2014; Interview with Lea Robinson, former Assistant Director of the undergraduate Office of Multicultural Affairs and the manager of LGBTQAA Programming and Advising, May 1, 2014. 48 Email interview with Stephanie Jennings, Senior Health Insurance Specialist at Insurance and Immunization Compliance Offices, July, 2, 2014. 49 Interview with Daniel Chiarilli, Assistant Director of GHAP, Mar. 12, 2014.

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various LGBTQ issues from a range of professionals.50 The Gay Health Advocacy Project (GHAP) also provides LGBTQ support and sexual health peer counseling and is available to anyone in the Columbia community regardless of orientation or gender identity. GHAP partners with OMA to host Coming Out discussion groups.51 Community Groups There are active LGBTQ community groups at most schools throughout Columbia University. These groups are among the strongest forces in LGBTQ life across campus and generally serve social, educational, and networking functions, among others. School Organizations52

• GendeRevolution is the trans support and advocacy group of Columbia and Barnard, and primarily serves undergraduate students. GR aims “to create safe spaces and advocate for trans and queer people at Columbia and Barnard, raising awareness about the spectrum of trans identities and experiences.”53

• Columbia Queer Alliance is an activism and social justice organization open to all Columbia students and affiliates, but is primarily for undergraduate students. CQA facilitates educational workshops, open forums, speaker series, and social events.54

• Everyone Allied Against Homophobia is Columbia University’s anti-homophobia, anti-transphobia activist group, primarily serving undergraduates.55 EAAH compiled the comprehensive Queer and Trans Resource Guide for 2013-14 and continues to update the guide on its website.56

• Gayava is the Jewish gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender group at Columbia and Barnard situated within Hillel and open to undergraduate and graduate students. Gayava hosts social functions and promotes awareness of LGBT issues in the greater Jewish community.57

• The Orlando is Columbia’s queer literary magazine and presents works engaging the issues and experiences specific to the queer community. The organization accepts submissions from students at all Columbia schools.58

• Columbia Pride is Columbia’s LGBTQ organization for alumni of all schools at the University.59

50 LGBTQ Concerns, Counseling and Psychological Services, http://health.columbia.edu/lgbtq-concerns, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 51 LGBTQ Support and Sexual Health Peer Counseling, http://health.columbia.edu/lgbtq-support-and-sexual-health-peer-counseling, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 52 The descriptions below largely rely on the materials provided by each organization on its website. 53 GendeRevolution, http://genderevolution.tumblr.com/, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 54 Columbia Queer Alliance, http://cqa1.wordpress.com/, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 55 Everyone Allied Against Homophobia, http://columbeaah.tumblr.com/, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 56 Queer and Trans Resource Guide 2013-14, http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/sites/dsa/files/handbooks/Queer%20and%20Trans%20Resource%20Guide.pdf, last visited Jan. 24, 2015; Queer Resource Guide, http://queer-resource-guide.tumblr.com/, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 57 Gayava, http://hillel.columbia.edu/gayava, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 58 About, The Orlando, http://theorlandolitmag.com/about/, last visited Jan. 9, 2015; Submit, The Orlando, http://theorlandolitmag.com/submit/, last visited Jan. 9, 2015.

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• Proud Colors is Columbia University and Barnard College’s organization for queer people of color and their allies and seeks to promote an understanding of the experiences, problems, and needs of queer and trans students of color as well as the queer and transgender community of color as a whole.60

• Outlaws is the LGBTQ student organization at CLS. The organization hosts social, policy, academic, and networking events throughout the year and coordinates with its counterparts at other graduate schools to build community at Columbia.61

• Queer TC is an LGBTQA organization dedicated to providing social, educational, and advocacy opportunities for TC students.62

• SIPA Spectrum is an organization through which SIPA’s LGBTQ students and straight allies can network, build community, and discuss international and domestic issues regarding sexuality and gender.63

• Cluster Q is CBS’s LGBT and Allies Business Association. It hosts social and professional events and has its own website with information for prospective students and alums.64 The organization has grown in membership in recent years and provides a strong network for LGBT students within the school, as well as with alums, recruiters, and students from across Columbia University.65

• GS Alliance is the LGBTQA club specifically for the School of General Studies (GS) at Columbia University. The group welcome students from all Columbia schools and is open to all orientations and gender identities. The group describes itself as “a support group, a social club, an activist’s haven, and anything else that we need to be for each other.”66

• The Lambda Health Alliance is the LGBTQ organization for the Health Sciences campus and works to increase the visibility of LGBTQ issues in medicine. The membership includes students, faculty, and staff from all schools on the CUMC campus.67

• At the School of Public Health, the Queer Health Task Force is dedicated to promoting the health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and intersex people. QHTF seeks to improve the visibility of queer health issues and improve access to care.68

• At CJS, the Columbia University chapter of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA) liaises with the local chapter and national organization, offers social support for LGBT student journalists, and provides resources for journalists covering the LGBT community. The organization works to provide networking and

59 Columbia Pride: Mission Statement, http://columbiaprideblog.wordpress.com/mission-statement/, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 60 Proud Colors, http://www.columbia.edu/cu/qoc/, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 61 Interview with Olena Ripnick-O’Farrell, Vice President of Outlaws, Apr. 15, 2014. 62 Queer TC, https://www.facebook.com/TCLGBTQ/info, last visited Jan. 24, 2015. 63 SIPA Spectrum, https://sipa.columbia.edu/students/student-life/student-organizations/sipa-spectrum, last visited Jan. 25, 2015. 64 Cluster Q, http://www0.gsb.columbia.edu/students/organizations/clusterq/, last visited Jan. 26, 2015. 65 About Cluster Q, http://www0.gsb.columbia.edu/students/organizations/clusterq/about.html, last visited Jan. 25, 2015. 66 GS Alliance, https://www.facebook.com/pages/GS-Alliance/316236041871827, last visited Jan. 9, 2015; GS Alliance, Queer Resource Guide, http://queer-resource-guide.tumblr.com/gsalliance, last visited Jan. 9, 2015. 67 Lambda Health Alliance, http://psclub.columbia.edu/clubs-organizations/lambda, last visited Jan. 26, 2015. 68 Queer Health Task Force, http://www.mailman.columbia.edu/students/student-life/student-groups/queer-health-task-force-qhtf, last visited Jan. 26, 2015.

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social opportunities to members, present them with unique programming that reflects the LGBTQ community’s diversity, promote fair and accurate coverage of the LGBTQ community, and showcase the work of Columbia Journalism students as it pertains to LGBTQ issues.69

• Queer Caucus is the LGBTQ organization at Union Theological Seminary. The Queer Caucus supports queer-identified people of all ethnic, cultural, socio-political, and faith backgrounds and serves as a voice for queer issues and concerns in the classroom, at student senate meetings, faculty meetings, school board meetings, and in housing. The organization hosts chapel services, educational panels, social events, and meetings with queer ministers and allies, and also connects students with alums.70

• The School of Social Work’s (SSW) student organization, also called the Queer Caucus, is for LGBTQQIU (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and unlabeled) students. The organization provides a community for LGBTQQIU students and their allies to discuss issues, foster community, and “engage in community action.”71

• The Queer & Ally Partnership is an intercollegiate student group that works to promote “visibility and unity on the CUMC campus around sexuality, gender and social justice.” QAP works closely with health services on the CUMC campus.72

• The Queer Academics at Columbia is a discussion group for LGBTQ students from every Columbia graduate and professional school co-sponsored by GHAP and Counseling & Psychological Services.73

Programming and Events Organizations across the University put on a broad range of programs and events related to transgender issues. The sample below illustrates the breadth of these events, but is not exhaustive of the full array of programming available.

• SIPA honored the International Transgender Day of Remembrance for the first time in 2012.74

• GendeRevolution, CQA, EAAH, and other undergraduate groups hosted a lecture by law professor and activist Dean Spade in April 2014 on prison abolition from a trans and queer perspective.75

• In 2014, CLS Outlaws facilitated a panel on issues affecting the transgender community, particularly those who are of lower socioeconomic status or racial minorities.76

69 National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association – Columbia Chapter, http://culgja.wordpress.com/, last visited Jan. 26, 2015. 70 Queer Caucus, http://www.utsnyc.edu/student-life/campus-life/student-organizations/queer-caucus, last visited Jan. 26, 2015. 71 Queer Caucus, http://socialwork.columbia.edu/student-resources/more-resources/student-life/sueb-student-caucus-leadership-directory-2014-15/queer-caucus, last visited Jan. 26, 2015. 72 Queer Ally Partnership, http://nursing.columbia.edu/students/student-activities, last visited Jan. 26, 2015. 73 LGBTQ Support and Sexual Health Peer Counseling, http://health.columbia.edu/lgbtq-support-and-sexual-health-peer-counseling, Jan. 26, 2015. 74 Remembering Victims of Transgender Violence, http://www.themorningsidepost.com/2012/11/19/remembering-victims-of-transgender-violence/, Nov. 19, 2012. 75 GendeRevolution, http://genderevolution.tumblr.com/post/83633256037/thanks-to-everyone-who-came-through-for-our-dean, last visited Jan. 26, 2015.

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• CBS’s Cluster Q held a transgender training program in April 2014 for the entire CBS community that focused on transgender awareness and community issues.77

• CJS’s chapter of the NLGJA held an “LGBT Fluency for Journalists” event in 2013 discussing how to sensitively and fairly cover stories about the LGBT community.78

• TC sponsors a Winter Roundtable on social justice, including speakers involved in LGBT scholarship.79

• The OMA offers a wide variety of programming noted above, but notably holds a Teach-In Series that has included a Trans Teach-In program.80 It also supports ROOTEd (Respecting Ourselves and Others Through Education), a non-hierarchical peer facilitation group that facilitates dialogues about power, privilege, and social identity as they relate to personal experience. The group hosts weekly conversations on Mondays (Sundaes on Mondays) from 9–11pm in the Intercultural Resource Center. ROOTEd also facilitates dialogues for residential halls, student organizations, and other groups by request.81 Lastly, the OMA supports the Columbia Mentoring Initiative (CMI), which first-year students with upper-class mentors, including LGBTQA mentors.82

Key Contacts

• Chris Woods serves as the new Assistant Director of OMA and the manager of LGBTQAA Programming and Advising, replacing Lea Robinson. Chris advises students and manages Columbia’s dedicated transgender website, Trans @ Columbia.83 He also facilitates the Trans 101 Workshop as part of the OMA’s CU Safe Zone Series and works to improve all aspects of student life around campus. Email: lgbtqa@columbia.edu

• Dr. Jonathan Amiel is the faculty liaison for LGBT students and Associate Dean for Curricular Affairs at the Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons. Dr. Amiel works with LGBTQ students and faculty, as well as on broader community initiatives.84 Email: jma2106@columbia.edu

• Dr. Daniel Chiarilli is the Assistant Director of the Gay Health Advocacy Project (GHAP). In addition to working on GHAP, Dr. Chiarilli facilitates LGBTQ discussion groups for undergraduate and graduate students at Columbia University.85 Email: dbc15@columbia.edu

76 Interview with Olena Ripnick- O’Farrell, Vice President of Outlaws, Apr. 15, 2014. 77 Email interview with Marnie Florin ‘14, CBS, Apr. 29, 2014. 78 LGBT Fluency for Journalists, http://culgja.wordpress.com/2013/04/26/lgbt-fluency-journalists/, Apr. 26, 2013. 79 Winter Roundtable Conference, http://www.tc.columbia.edu/roundtable/index.asp?Id=Invited+Speakers&Info=Invited+Speakers, last visited Jan. 26, 2015. 80 LGBTQAA Programming, http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/OMA/aboutus/info4/lgbtq.php, last visited Jan. 26, 2015. 81 ROOTEd, Queer Resource Guide, http://queer-resource-guide.tumblr.com/rooted, last visited Jan. 9, 2015. 82 Columbia Mentoring Initiative, http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/OMA/mentoring/cmi.php, last visited Jan. 9, 2015. 83 Trans @ Columbia, http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/OMA/trans, last visited Jan. 26, 2015. 84 Faculty Liaison for LGBT Students, http://ps.columbia.edu/education/student-life/office-diversity/lgbt-resources, last visited Jan. 26, 2015. 85 Daniel Chiarilli, Assistant Director of Gay Health Advocacy Project, http://health.columbia.edu/daniel-chiarilli, last visited Jan. 26, 2015.

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Best Practices for a Trans-Friendly University: Looking to Columbia’s

Peer Institutions This compilation of best practices aims to assist colleges and universities in creating and maintaining a supportive, trans-friendly environment for students, faculty, and staff. The suggestions listed below are based on information gathered from Harvard University, Yale University, New York University, Stanford University, the University of California at Los Angeles, the University of California at Berkeley, the University of Chicago, the University of Vermont, and Reed College.86 For the purposes of these best practice recommendations, the term “university” or “universities,” includes colleges as well as universities. Readers might also consult the “Suggested Best Practices for Supporting Trans* Students” Report produced by the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals for additional considerations.87 Anti-discrimination Universities should explicitly include a designation of protection based on gender identity within their broader anti-discrimination policies.88 For example:

The University is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its relations with its faculty, students, and staff members, without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or family relationship. The University also prohibits sexual harassment. This nondiscrimination policy covers hiring, admissions, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other school-administered programs and treatment in all University programs and activities.89

86 This diverse group represents many well-respected schools that are considered Columbia’s peer schools as well as those that have well-established and comprehensive transgender policies. The discussion below includes a selection of illustrations from each school. Please contact the schools directly for a comprehensive version of their policies. 87 Suggested Best Practices for Supporting Trans* Students, Trans Policy Working Group, Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals, June 15, 2014, http://www.lgbtcampus.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=81:suggested-best-practices-for-supporting-trans--students&catid=21:press-releases&Itemid=124. 88 Yale, Stanford, Berkeley, the University of Vermont, and the University of Chicago are among the schools we surveyed who do so. See Yale University Office for Equal Opportunity Programs: Policies, http://www.yale.edu/equalopportunity/policies/, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Stanford Bulletin 2014-15, http://exploredegrees.stanford.edu/#text, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; NYU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Student Center: Prospective Students, http://www.nyu.edu/life/student-life/student-diversity/lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-and-queer-student-center/prospective-students.html, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Trans* @ UChicago, https://lgbtq.uchicago.edu/trans, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 89 This language is based on the policies we found at the schools cited supra note 2. See Yale University Office for Equal Opportunity Programs: Policies, http://www.yale.edu/equalopportunity/policies/, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Stanford Bulletin 2014-15, http://exploredegrees.stanford.edu/#text, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; NYU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Student Center: Prospective Students, http://www.nyu.edu/life/student-life/student-diversity/lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-and-queer-student-center/prospective-students.html, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Trans* @ UChicago, https://lgbtq.uchicago.edu/trans, last visited Feb. 15, 2015.

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Universities should provide clear and well-publicized information about how students can file a complaint if they believe they have been discriminated against or harassed based on their gender identity.90 All university affiliates who participate in the process designated for handling these complaints need to be well-trained to respond appropriately and with sensitivity.91

Records Correction Universities should allow students to utilize their preferred names and pronouns within the full university community regardless of whether they have legally changed their names.92 Students may not wish to change their legal names for many reasons, including because they may not be comfortable presenting themselves in ways that would out them to their families, or because requirements for legal name changes, which vary widely from state to state, may make legal changes unfeasible.93 If a student has not legally changed his or her name, we recommend the following best practices:

• Students can change their preferred names and pronouns without prohibitive difficulty or any embarrassment resulting from the university process. We recommend as a preferred practice the University of Vermont’s policy:

To indicate a preferred first name and/or preferred pronoun, a student must

log into “my UVM,” the university’s student portal, and click on “Change Your Preferred Name/Pronoun” in the “Personal Information” box in the center of the page. The student must then follow the instructions posted to input the preferred name and pronoun on the “Preferred First Name and Pronoun” form and hit update to ensure that these preferences have been saved. After twenty-four hours, the student’s preferred name will appear in the system and the student can request a new ID card.94

90 Gender Equity Resource Center: Hate Crimes, http://geneq.berkeley.edu/hate_crimes, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Discriminatory Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy, http://www.reed.edu/academic/gbook/comm_pol/dhsm_policy.html, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Complaint Procedures, http://www.yale.edu/equalopportunity/complaint/index.html, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 83 Gender Equity Resource Center: Hate Crimes, http://geneq.berkeley.edu/hate_crimes, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Discriminatory Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy, http://www.reed.edu/academic/gbook/comm_pol/dhsm_policy.html, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 92 The Unofficial Guide to Trans* Life at Stanford, http://www.stanford.edu/group/lgbtcrc/UnofficialGuidetoTransLife.pdf, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; NYU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Student Center: Navigating the University, http://www.nyu.edu/life/student-life/student-diversity/lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-and-queer-student-center/navigating-the-university.html, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Office of the Registrar: Preferred Name and Pronoun, http://www.uvm.edu/registrar/?Page=policiesandprocedures/p_preferredname.html&SM=p_menu.html, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 93 For more information on name change policies and procedure, see Legal Name Change Project, http://www.tsroadmap.com/reality/name-change.html#order, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 94 Office of the Registrar: Preferred Name and Pronoun, http://www.uvm.edu/registrar/?Page=policiesandprocedures/p_preferredname.html&SM=p_menu.html, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; see also University of Chicago’s preferred name change policy, Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Student Life: Name Changes, https://lgbtq.uchicago.edu/name, last visited Feb. 15, 2015.

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• Universities make the following pronouns available for students when students are asked to indicate a preferred pronoun: 95

o None (nothing listed) o She o He o Ze (a gender-inclusive pronoun) o Preferred Name Only o A pronoun of the student’s choosing

• Transcripts and diplomas do not note gender. • A student’s preferred name is the only name visible on ID cards, class lists, degree audit

reporting systems, grade reports, advisee lists, unofficial transcripts, library processes, health center appointments, and other such materials. 96

• Universities make a student’s legal name available to those in the university community only when it is required, such as with financial aid and health insurance.97 Additionally, university staff who are granted access to students’ legal names for these purposes are trained to handle the implications of being able to see this information and the need for confidentiality.98

• Universities offer students the option of requesting directory exclusion pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which revokes a university’s right to share information with any outside source; students must be informed that doing so means they will not be listed in the school directory and the university cannot confirm their student status, which could have effects on credit ratings, credit card applications, and insurance verifications.99

• Universities permit students to change their email address to indicate only their preferred name for both the sender name and email address itself.100 If the student would prefer an email address that does not show gender (i.e., a first initial rather than first name displayed), the school should accommodate such a choice. 101

• Universities provide students with information about how to seek a legal name change and legally change gender markers.102

95 Office of the Registrar: Preferred Name and Pronoun, http://www.uvm.edu/registrar/?Page=policiesandprocedures/p_preferredname.html&SM=p_menu.html, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 96 Id.; see also Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Student Life: Name Changes, https://lgbtq.uchicago.edu/name, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 97 Office of the Registrar: Preferred Name and Pronoun, http://www.uvm.edu/registrar/?Page=policiesandprocedures/p_preferredname.html&SM=p_menu.html, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 98 Id. 99 Id. 100 Id.; see also Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Student Life: CNET ID/Email Address Changes, http://lgbtq.uchicago.edu/email, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 101 Office of the Registrar: Preferred Name and Pronoun, http://www.uvm.edu/registrar/?Page=policiesandprocedures/p_preferredname.html&SM=p_menu.html, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 102 The Unofficial Guide to Trans* Life at Stanford, http://www.stanford.edu/group/lgbtcrc/UnofficialGuidetoTransLife.pdf, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Office of BGLTQ Student Life: FAQ, http://bgltq.fas.harvard.edu/faq, last visited Feb. 15, 2015.

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When a student has legally changed his or her name, we recommend the following best practices:

• A student’s legal name is the only name reflected in university records after a student has completed a legal name change and notified the university of that change. Additionally, if a student legally changes his or her gender markers (the gender marked on legal documents such as a driver’s license, passport, birth certificate, etc.), this gender should be the only gender reflected in university records.

• Universities accept any of the following as evidence of a legal name change:103 o Driver’s license o Passport o Court order o Social Security card o Any comparable legal identification document

• Students who legally change their names after graduation may request corrected diplomas with no mention of their previous names.104

• University staff is trained to handle records correction in an appropriate, confidential, and sensitive manner.

Education, Outreach, and Community Groups We recommend the following best practices for education, outreach, and community groups:

• Universities support and fund student groups that focus on transgender issues.105 • Universities support and fund LGBTQ activism and advocacy training.106 • Universities provide religious and spiritual support for transgender students. One

excellent model is in place at Yale University: o The Yale University Chaplain’s Office promotes discussion among Yale’s diverse

religious and spiritual groups and connects students to communities of faith in 103 Gender Equity Resource Center: Transgender Resources for UC Berkeley Students, Faculty, and Staff, http://geneq.berkeley.edu/transgender, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Student Life: Name Changes, https://lgbtq.uchicago.edu/name, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 104 NYU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Student Center: Navigating the University, http://www.nyu.edu/life/student-life/student-diversity/lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-and-queer-student-center/navigating-the-university.html, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Office of the Registrar: Request for Information, https://www.reed.edu/registrar/info_request.html, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 105 Office of LGBTQ Resources: Undergraduate Student Resources, http://lgbtq.yale.edu/resources/undergraduate, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; The Unofficial Guide to Trans* Life at Stanford, http://www.stanford.edu/group/lgbtcrc/UnofficialGuidetoTransLife.pdf, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 106 For example, at Yale University, the GALA Summer Fellowship provides a limited number of fellowships to pay for living expenses to allow students to work in unpaid internships for non-profit organizations working on political, economic, social or cultural issues that affect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer people. Additionally, the Wallace-Sexton Travel Funds provide a limited number of students the opportunity to attend the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Creating Change Conference each January, covering the cost of transportation, registration and shared hotel rooms. Office of LGBTQ Resources: GALA Summer Fellowship, http://lgbtq.yale.edu/fellowships/gala, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Office of LGBTQ Resources: Wallace-Sexton Travel Funds to Creating Change, http://lgbtq.yale.edu/wallace-sexton-travel-funds-creating-change, last visited Feb. 15, 2015.

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New Haven. The staff of the Chaplain’s Office is available to speak with students regarding issues of religion, spirituality, sexual orientation, and gender identity, as well as to connect them to other resources, both on and off campus, including places of worship and congregations that identify themselves as open and affirming.107

o Yale also supports Bridges, a social group that provides a safe and affirming place for students to discuss the intersection of spirituality and sexuality/gender identity.108

Housing We recommend the following best practices for housing:

• Universities provide students with trans-friendly housing options such as student opt-in gender-inclusive housing (a housing option in which two or more students share a multiple-occupancy apartment or suite regardless of the students’ sex, gender, gender identity, or gender expression), trans-friendly housing, and single-occupancy room options, all of which include single-user and gender-inclusive restrooms and shower facilities.109

• Universities provide students with opt-in gender-inclusive housing options (housing that is not assigned based on gender).110 Students should not have to explain why they choose gender-inclusive housing.111 Additionally, universities should not limit gender-inclusive housing options, and any co-ed building should allow residents to select a gender-inclusive pairing.112

• Transgender students have access to single-occupancy housing options; however, it is never acceptable for universities to pressure transgender students to live alone.113

• Larger universities may also consider supporting transgender students by creating options similar to Berkeley’s Unity House Theme Program: 114

107 Office of LGBTQ Resources: Chaplain’s Office, http://lgbtq.yale.edu/resources/chaplains-office, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 108 Office of LGBTQ Resources: Bridges, http://lgbtq.yale.edu/resources/bridges, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 109 Campus Policies & Info for Trans* Students, Faculty & Staff, http://www.uvm.edu/~lgbtqa/?Page=transinfo.html&SM=programsmenu.html, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 110 Housing Options for LGBTQA Students, http://www.uvm.edu/~lgbtqa/?Page=housing.html&SM=programsmenu.html, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Student Life: Campus Housing, http://lgbtq.uchicago.edu/housing, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Gender-Neutral Housing, http://web.stanford.edu/dept/rde/cgi-bin/drupal/housing/apply/gender-neutral-housing, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 111 Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Student Life: Campus Housing, http://lgbtq.uchicago.edu/housing, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 112 Id. 113 Gender-Neutral Housing, http://web.stanford.edu/dept/rde/cgi-bin/drupal/housing/apply/gender-neutral-housing, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 114 Gender Equity Resource Center: Transgender Resources for UC Berkeley Students, Faculty, and Staff, http://geneq.berkeley.edu/transgender, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; see also Housing Options for LGBTQA Students, http://www.uvm.edu/~lgbtqa/?Page=housing.html&SM=programsmenu.html, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. Other universities with LGBTA housing options include Beloit College; Carleton College; Syracuse University; Tufts University; the University of California at Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Riverside, and Santa Barbara; the University of

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o The Unity House Theme Program is unique to Berkeley and is a pioneer in its focus on gender and sexuality, support of mixed gender room assignments, and academic connections to the Gender and Women’s Studies Department and LGBT studies minor.

o The Unity House Theme Program offers a mixed-gender roommate option. o The Unity House Theme Program offers students a roommate combination that is

a comfortable and safe match and allows students to indicate the best roommate option without having to apply for “special” housing circumstances or for a single room.

o Unity House has a live-in Theme Program Assistant who provides resources and support for residents in the community. Unity House’s academic seminar offers both a theoretical study of gender and sexuality and an outlet to share individual experiences. Students in the program participate in social functions, community outreach and activities, event planning, and have meaningful interactions with faculty and staff.

• Housing applications provide an optional space for students to self-identify or provide any information to assist housing staff in making an appropriate housing offer.115

• Universities ensure that a trained housing coordinator is available to work with students on individual requests; this coordinator must keep all information confidential.116

• Information about gender-inclusive pairing assignments is not made available to students’ parents without explicit consent from the student.117

Bathrooms We recommend the following best practices with regards to campus bathrooms:

• Transgender students may use the bathroom that corresponds to their consistently asserted gender identity (the gender that the student lives as in day-to-day life), regardless of physical transition.118

• Universities provide students with a readily available list of the location of all gender-inclusive bathrooms on campus.119

Colorado, Boulder; the University of Iowa; the University of Massachusetts, Amherst; the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; and the University of Vermont. Ways that U.S. Colleges and Universities Meet the Day-to-Day Needs of Transgender Students, http://www.transgenderlaw.org/college/guidelines.htm, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 115 Gender Equity Resource Center: Transgender Resources for UC Berkeley Students, Faculty, and Staff, http://geneq.berkeley.edu/transgender, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 116 Id. 117 Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Student Life: Campus Housing, http://lgbtq.uchicago.edu/housing, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 118 Office of BGLTQ Student Life: FAQ, http://bgltq.fas.harvard.edu/faq, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; for a discussion on counter arguments and rebuttals, see Gender Neutral Bathrooms, http://www.pcc.edu/resources/qrc/gender-neutral.html, last visited Feb. 15, 2015, and International Center for Ethics, Justice and Public Life: The Ethics of Gender-Segregated Bathrooms, https://www.brandeis.edu/ethics/ethicalinquiry/2012/May.html, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 119 NYULGBTQ Gender Neutral Bathroom Guide, http://www.nyu.edu/content/dam/nyu/lgbtStudentServices/documents/GNBG_FALL12.pdf, Feb. 15, 2015; Office of BGLTQ Student Life: FAQ, http://bgltq.fas.harvard.edu/faq, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Gender Equity Resource Center: Unisex, Single-Stall, Gender-Inclusive and Other Restrooms on UC Berkeley’s Central Campus,

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• Every residential, academic, and medical building has at least one gender-inclusive bathroom.120

• Gender-inclusive bathrooms are identified with clear and non-gendered signage; below is an example of clear, non-gendered signage from Macalester College. This does not represent the only acceptable depiction of a gender inclusive bathroom but serves as one model to guide schools towards more gender inclusive signage.121

Athletics We recommend the following best practices for athletics and athletics facilities policies:

• Transgender students can access a single-user, gender-inclusive restroom, changing room, and shower facility.122 However, students should still be permitted to use a locker room that corresponds to their gender identity, regardless of the status of their physical transition.123

• Universities provide private changing stalls in all university locker rooms.124 • Students are permitted to participate in intramural sports/club programs in accordance

with their consistently asserted gender identity.125 Participation in such sports should be included in the university non-discrimination policy.126

http://geneq.berkeley.edu/restrooms, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Campus Policies & Info for Trans* Students, Faculty & Staff, http://www.uvm.edu/~lgbtqa/?Page=transinfo.html&SM=programsmenu.html, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 120 The Unofficial Guide to Trans* Life at Stanford, http://www.stanford.edu/group/lgbtcrc/UnofficialGuidetoTransLife.pdf, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 121 Back to Campus: 6 Best Practices to a Trans-Friendly Campus, http://www.campuspride.org/tools/back-to-campus-6-steps-to-a-trans-friendly-campus/, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 122 Campus Policies & Info for Trans* Students, Faculty & Staff, http://www.uvm.edu/~lgbtqa/?Page=transinfo.html&SM=programsmenu.html, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 123 Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, Transgender Students’ Use of Bathrooms and Locker Rooms, https://www.glad.org/uploads/docs/publications/trans-students-bathrooms.pdf, last updated March 11, 2014. 124 Jerome S. Coles FAQ, http://gonyuathletics.com/sports/2011/12/15/Coles_1215113508.aspx?path=coles, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Office of LGBTQ Resources: Trans* @ Yale, http://lgbtq.yale.edu/resources/trans-yale, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 125 Faculty Handbook: Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Employment, http://www.reed.edu/dean_of_faculty/handbook/1-b.html, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Gender Equity Resource Center: Transgender Resources for UC Berkeley Students, Faculty, and Staff, http://geneq.berkeley.edu/transgender, last visited Feb. 15, 2015.

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• Universities implement procedures to determine transgender athletes’ eligibility to participate in intercollegiate competitive sports that are based on the recommendations of the “On the Team: Equal Opportunity for Transgender Student Athletes” report released by the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the Women’s Sports Foundation, and the It Takes a Team Education Campaign for LGBT Issues in Sports in October 2010.127

Medical We recommend the following best medical practices:

• Universities provide medical services that are typically gendered in separate departments, but do not require transgender students to use these separate departments. For example, if a student with a male gender identity does not feel comfortable having a gynecological exam in Women’s Health Services, the best practice is to allow the student to receive this exam in the Primary Care Services department if he wishes.128

• Universities ensure students’ access to comprehensive health services including hormone therapy and counseling.129

• Universities train health and counseling personnel on medical needs of transgender individuals.130 Additionally, universities make counselors and support groups available to provide support for all mental health concerns including discussions of gender identity, transition, and sexuality.131

126 Faculty Handbook: Non-discrimination and Equal Opportunity Employment, http://www.reed.edu/dean_of_faculty/handbook/1-b.html, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 127 Gender Equity Resource Center: Transgender Resources for UC Berkeley Students, Faculty, and Staff, http://geneq.berkeley.edu/transgender, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 128 NYU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Student Center: Health & Wellness, http://www.nyu.edu/life/student-life/student-diversity/lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-and-queer-student-center/health-wellness.html, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; The Center for Health & Wellbeing: Transgender Health, http://www.uvm.edu/~CHWB/health/?Page=trans.html, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 129 Transgender Health, http://vaden.stanford.edu/special-topics/lgbtq-health/transgender-health, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. See infra footnote 132. 130 Cornell University, New York University, Ohio State University, Princeton University, the University of California, Riverside are among the number of other colleges and universities that require this. Ways that U.S. Colleges and Universities Meet the Day-to-Day Needs of Transgender Students, http://www.transgenderlaw.org/college/guidelines.htm, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Transgender Resources, http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~qsa/resources/transgender-resources/, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 131 NYU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Student Center: Health & Wellness, http://www.nyu.edu/life/student-life/student-diversity/lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-and-queer-student-center/health-wellness.html, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Group Counseling, http://www.nyu.edu/life/safety-health-wellness/student-health-center/services/mental-health/group-counseling.html, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Transgender Resources, http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~qsa/resources/transgender-resources/, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Student Life: Student Health Services (SHS), http://lgbtq.uchicago.edu/health, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Transgender Health, http://vaden.stanford.edu/special-topics/lgbtq-health/transgender-health, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Transgender Health Services: Services for Trans and Gender Non-conforming Students, http://uhs.berkeley.edu/students/medical/transgender.shtml#mental, last visited Feb. 15, 2015.

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• Universities provide mental health and counseling free of charge to all students regardless of whether they are enrolled in the university’s health insurance plan.132 Access to mental health and counseling services is of particular importance for transgender students because a formal diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder is generally required for treatment such as hormone therapy and gender affirmation surgery. Access to mental health and counseling is also important because the mental health support is often important in conjunction with the physical changes that occur when a person transitions.

• University insurance plans cover mental health and counseling, hormone therapy, and gender affirmation surgery.133

• Gender-inclusive bathrooms are available and clearly marked in all health center buildings.134

Programming & Events We recommend the following best practices for programming and events:

• Universities support transgender programming and events.135 Such events might include: o Trans Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance o Retreat for trans/genderqueer and gender-questioning college students o Free “Trans 101” training sessions for both staff and students

• Universities maintain and publicize a university-wide calendar of these events.136

132 NYU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Student Center: Health & Wellness, http://www.nyu.edu/life/student-life/student-diversity/lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-and-queer-student-center/health-wellness.html, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Office of LGBTQ Resources: Trans* @ Yale: Healthcare, http://lgbtq.yale.edu/resources/trans-yale#Healthcare, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 133 Transgender Medical Care and the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) http://uhs.berkeley.edu/students/insurance/transgenderbenefits.shtml, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Health Net for Stanford University: Cardinal Care Plan Details, https://www.healthnet.com/portal/member/content/iwc/mysites/cardinalcare/my_plan_details.action, last visited on Feb. 15, 2015; Summary of Benefits, http://www.nyu.edu/content/dam/nyu/studentHealthServices/documents/PDFs/student-health-insurance/Summary_of_Student_Health_Insurance_Plan_Benefits.pdf, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Harvard University Student Health Program (HUSHP) Handbook AY2013-2014, http://hushp.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/downloadable_files/HUSHP%20Handbook%20AY14.pdf, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; 2013-14 University Student Health Insurance Plan (U-SHIP) 2014-2015, https://studenthealth.uchicago.edu/page/university-student-health-insurance-plan-u-ship-2014-2015-0, last visited Feb. 15, 2015; Office of LGBTQ Resources: Trans* @ Yale: Healthcare, http://lgbtq.yale.edu/resources/trans-yale#Healthcare, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 134 Office of LGBTQ Resources: Health Resources, http://lgbtq.yale.edu/resources/health-resources, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 135 The Top 10 Trans-Friendly Colleges and Universities, http://www.campuspride.org/tools/top-10-trans/, last visited Feb. 15, 2015. 136 Office of BGLTQ Student Life: Events, http://bgltq.fas.harvard.edu/events, last visited Feb. 15, 2015.

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The Clinic’s Proposals The Columbia Law School Sexuality and Gender Law Clinic recognizes and appreciates the changes various individuals and institutions throughout Columbia are making to build a more trans-friendly environment. In furtherance of these efforts, the Clinic proposes the following policies and programs, which we hope will be included in future discussions of student life. LGBTQ Center Columbia should explore the possibility of creating a university-wide center for LGBTQ students. While great progress is being made in areas throughout the University, Columbia’s decentralized structure hinders its ability to serve transgender students. A unified center with a physical space would best serve the transgender and broader LGBT community at Columbia by consolidating resources and programming in one identifiable entity. Such an institutional innovation would of course face constraints of fundraising and physical siting, but these challenges could be overcome with much-needed coordination among Columbia’s affiliate schools and a strong commitment from Columbia’s central administration. Accessibility of Information Many of Columbia University’s affiliate schools and entities already have very inclusive policies, but locating them can be challenging. Some policies are not posted online at all, while those that are posted exist in scattered locations. The need to self-identify as transgender to gain information puts a heavy burden on prospective and current students as well as alums. The University should create and maintain a comprehensive website that includes formalized policies for the affiliate schools and links to their respective websites. Prospective and current students should also be able to ask questions anonymously and access information without self-identifying. Relatedly, all Columbia schools and entities should place their anti-discrimination policies and reporting procedures in an easily-accessible location on their websites. Anti-Discrimination Policy The Clinic applauds Columbia University’s university-wide anti-discrimination policy, which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and expression. In addition, the Clinic proposes the adoption of similar policies at each affiliate school to protect transgender students. CU Safe Zone & Training Columbia’s Safe Zone project provides a great training tool for staff, faculty, and administrators throughout the University and provides a way for participants to display their support for LGBTQ students. Teachers College encourages its own community members to participate in training and publishes the names of those trained on its school website. Other schools should

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follow this example and encourage members of their communities to do the same. The Lamont-Doherty sticker program also offers a good example of community outreach and support. More broadly, the University should create a comprehensive training module for faculty, staff, and administrators regarding gender identity and expression, and focus in particular on how gender identity and expression affect their interactions with students. Information should be communicated in multiple, redundant formats so as to maximize exposure and education. Records, Names, and Emails Currently, Columbia University heavily regulates and restricts name and email changes. Columbia should adopt a policy similar to that in place at the University of Vermont, allowing a student to log onto a student portal and input a preferred first name and/or pronoun. At a minimum, because of the time and difficulty involved in updating government-issued identity documents, the Clinic strongly recommends that Columbia follow the example of its peer schools and accept a court order or other comparable legal documents, without further documentation, as proof of a legal name change for all University purposes. After a student’s name has been changed, all records that flow from the central student system should be updated and the University email account should be modified to reflect the student’s name. Housing The Clinic recommends the University’s expansion of Open Housing to all students aged 18 and older, regardless of transfer status, as well as the provision of housing accommodations to first-year students. The Clinic recommends that UAH allow graduate students to opt into gender-inclusive apartment share options. Bathrooms The Clinic recognizes and commends Columbia’s commitment to the expansion of gender-inclusive bathroom options on campus and encourages prompt follow-through of any new plans. All new building projects should include gender-inclusive bathrooms with appropriate gender-inclusive signage. Current bathrooms with outdated signage should have their signage updated. Athletics Dodge Fitness Center should build or retrofit an accessible gender-inclusive locker room as well as ensure privacy by adding private changing areas and shower stalls to all existing locker rooms. The location of such facilities, including gender inclusive bathrooms, should be accessible and well-marked such that they are easily located without the need to ask a staff member. Staff should also be able to clearly share policies with patrons upon request.

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Glossary of Terms Used in this Report137 Consistently-Asserted Gender Identity: The identity that a transgender individual asserts and lives. This identity accords with however individuals choose to represent themselves day-to-day. Gender Affirmation Surgery: Gender reassignment surgery, referring to any of its various stages and procedures. Gender Expression: How an individual expresses gender outwardly and/or the facets of a person’s expression that have gendered connotations in our culture. Gender Markers: The gender listed on various legal documents such as driver’s licenses, birth certificates, passports, etc. Gender-Neutral/Inclusive: Does not advertise or operate with regard to specific genders, e.g. gender-inclusive toilet signage might include a toilet symbol, but would not include either a male or female figure. Gender Identity: An individual’s internal sense of gender. One’s gender identity may or may not align with gender assigned at birth, and one’s gender identity is not visible to others. Gender-Neutral/Inclusive Housing: A housing option in which two or more students share a multiple-occupancy apartment or suite regardless of the students’ sex, gender, gender identity, or gender expression. Preferred pronouns: The pronoun one prefers to be called, whether it is he, she, they, it, ze, or any other. It is preferable to always ask someone their preferred pronoun if possible, and to not make assumptions about a person’s pronouns. Transgender: An umbrella term for people whose gender identity or expression does not match the gender they were assigned at birth. “Transgender” can include transsexuals, cross dressers, drag kings/queens, masculine women, feminine men, and all those who defy what society tells them their “gender” should be. Ze: A gender-inclusive pronoun equivalent of he/she. Zir: A gender-inclusive equivalent of his/her.

137 In defining these terms, the authors drew on the following websites: Glossary, http://www.lgbt.cusu.cam.ac.uk/resources/trans/glossary/, last visited Feb. 20, 2015; Trans 101: Primer and Vocabulary, http://www.ohio.edu/lgbt/resources/trans101.cfm, last visited Feb. 20, 2015; Gender Neutral Housing, http://www.northeastern.edu/reslife/livinglearning/ucllcf/gnh.html, last visited Feb. 20, 2015.