UMass Amherst Committed to Supporting Transgender Students

February 23, 2017

While the newest guidance from the federal government rescinds some previous protections for transgender students, UMass Amherst remains committed to supporting its trans students. Our nondiscrimination policy includes “gender identity and expression,” and the university will continue to seek to provide a safe and nondiscriminatory environment for all students, including trans students. We provide access to facilities and respect students’ pronouns and names consistent with their gender identity, even if their education records or identification documents indicate a different sex.

UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy emphasizes the campus’ support for transgender individuals, noting, “Our position is simple: We try to provide a supporting and conducive environment for all our students, staff and faculty.“

The university’s commitment reflects related protections in Massachusetts, where lawmakers adopted legislation in 2011 and 2016 that grants anti-discrimination protections to transgender people in the state.

Further information on the university’s commitment to improving the living and learning environments for trans students can be found at

https://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/article/university-providing-support-trans.

 

Ed Blaguszewski
UMass Amherst campus spokesman