Non-binary Gender Option on CCCApply

Fall
2018
Resolution Number
03.01
 
Assigned to
Telecommunications and Technology Advisory
Category
Diversity and Equity
Status
Assigned
Proposer Contact
Nathaniel Donahue, Santa Monica College

Whereas, California law (AB 620, Block 2011) requests annual transmittal of summary demographic data reporting to the legislature regarding sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression of students, and California Education Code §66271.2 communicates a concern for obstacles faced by our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other (LGBTQIA+) students;

Whereas, The California Community College Application (CCCApply) only provides the options for gender as male, female, and decline to state, and some of our students do not identify with a binary gender;

Whereas, It is imperative to student success that our students know that our system affirms their identities, and currently non-binary students are compelled to select a binary gender designation which can create an obstacle for self-identification and produce an environment where students feel alienated at the beginning of the student journey in the California Community Colleges; and

Whereas, The Vision for Success seeks to produce equitable student outcomes for all student populations, including LGBTQIA+ students and others who identify as nonbinary;

Resolved, That the Academic Senate of California Community Colleges work with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to revise CCCApply to include a gender “non-binary” option so that our students are not compelled to misidentify themselves at the very beginning of their California community college education.

Acclamation