Personal Pronouns
At Hastings College, sharing your personal pronouns/asking others their personal pronouns is a valued practice showing respect for the people with whom you interact. Almost all of us use personal pronouns to refer to each other on a regular basis.
In the U.S., people tend to assume someone’s gender identity based on their appearance or their name. Our assumptions are not always correct. Making one assumption, either right or wrong, can send a powerful and damaging message: you must look a certain way to signal your gender. In the case of course rosters, we sometimes look to see a student’s sex assigned at birth and assume their pronouns based on that, which is not always correct. So please share your pronouns and ask others theirs.
Sample Syllabus Statements of Inclusion:
In this course, each voice in the classroom has something of value to contribute. Please take care to respect the different experiences, beliefs, and values expressed by students and staff involved in this course. We support Hastings College's commitment to diversity and welcome individuals of all ages, backgrounds, citizenships, disabilities, sexes, education levels, ethnicities, family statuses, genders, gender identities, geographical locations, languages, military experiences, political views, races, religions, sexual orientations, socioeconomic statuses, and work experiences.
Course rosters do not list gender or pronouns so you may be asked to indicate the personal pronouns you use so that I don't make assumptions based on your name and/or appearance/self-presentation (you are not obligated to do so). If you use a chosen name that is different from the one listed on the roster, please let me know. Chosen names and pronouns are to be respected at all times in the classroom. Mistakes in addressing one another may happen, so I encourage an environment of openness to correction and learning. I will not, however, tolerate repeated comments which disrespect or antagonize students who have indicated pronouns or a chosen name. Chosen name and personal pronouns may evolve over time, so if at any point during the semester you would like to be addressed differently, please let me know.
Sample Email Signature with Personal Pronouns:
Full Name
Current pronouns: (she/they) - What’s this?
Position/Title
Office
p: (xxx)xxx-xxxx