Chang also confirmed that transgender students can qualify for lower room rates, since the school would “consider this an accommodation,” and be prioritized for in-demand rooms.
“Oh so you charge less, because she’s transgender?” the undercover journalist asked. Chang nodded in agreement.
Towards the end of the video, Chang was asked if the university is trying to be more inclusive “without being too public.”
“Yeah. Unfortunately,” she said.
A recording of a phone call between the undercover journalist and University of St. Thomas housing staff corroborated what Chang said, confirming that a transgender woman could request cisgender roommates and that it would be kept “confidential.”
“If she identifies as female, then she is able to room on the female side,” the staff person said.
The University of St. Thomas, the largest private university in the state of Minnesota, has since shut down replies on its Twitter account. The university is one of the largest Catholic colleges in the nation, with more than 9,000 students and eight campuses.
The school does acknowledge on its website that “housing and community bathroom assignments use the gender identity indicated in your application.”
“We’re guided by the church’s call for an equitable society. As a Catholic university, we support the inherent worth and dignity of all. LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, and staff can expect to experience that respect in their work and interactions at St. Thomas,” the website says.
When I started grad school, the personal section was 7 pages long. I also have my official name as the Latin version of my name, and required correct pronunciation.
Local right-winged news coverage on this: https://archive.ph/5kO62
Let me guess… there is more than just male and female on the application as well?
These days, I imagine that requires its own page and periodic updates.
When I started grad school, the personal section was 7 pages long. I also have my official name as the Latin version of my name, and required correct pronunciation.
When the “non-binary” have to state which dorm they want to live in and pretend it’s apropos of nothing else.