<p>I have a couple of problems with how some things are worded in that article, and as someone who has been asked “are you trans?” I can say that I’m much more comfortable being asked “do you prefer male pronouns?” (and won’t you look at that, some trans people would actually prefer to be stealth). BUT, all in all, the fact that they’re acknowledging trans/non-binary students makes Grinnell quite an awesome college.</p>
<p>at Grinnell, they also call the freshmen “first years.” I don’t know if this is gender related or not, or how long a tradition it has been, because they also call the other classes second and third years. Only the seniors are called seniors! But, in terms of gender identity, it is one more nice thing about Grinnell! </p>
<p>As a matter of curiosity, I just looked through the Family Resource Guide for Grinnell (a handbook for parents of current students), and didn’t see one reference to gender, or the word “son” or “daughter.” Every reference was to “student.” I’d bet this was intentional to be sensitive to gender issues.</p>
<p>Oberlin, mentioned by several others, is a top quality LAC that certainly should stay on your list for serious inquiry. Their leadership in gender issues has much history behind it, including: first coed undergraduate institution in the U.S. post-Civil War, first to allow coed dorms in the late 1960’s (on cover of Life Magazine). It’s built in to their thinking as an institution to lean forward with social progressive movements. </p>
<p>Adding this anecdote: for gender, their 2004 admissions application allowed this choice among 3 on a menu drop-down: Male, Female, Undecided.</p>