Recommendations of transgender students, staff, and faculty in the USA for improving college campuses

^†This study was conducted as part of a dissertation, and portions of the literature review, methodology, and results are adapted from this source.

Abstract

Research indicates that transgender individuals frequently experience marginalisation and interpersonal victimisation within college and university settings. Missing from the literature is a discussion of what can be done to address such patterns in higher education, based upon empirical data gathered from transgender and gender non-conforming students, staff, and faculty. The present study aimed to fill this gap by reporting on solutions offered by a sample of 30 individuals in one US state while integrating a lens of intersectionality. Five resulting themes include (a) offer education, campus programming, and support for trans individuals; (b) improve university systems and procedures for recording one's name and gender; (c) encourage greater inclusivity and recruitment of diverse groups; (d) make physical changes to facilities; and (e) hold people accountable. These findings suggest institutional actions and policy changes for higher education administrators and others committed to improving campuses for transgender and gender non-conforming people.

Keywords:

• transgender
• higher education
• qualitative methods
• recommendations
• intersectionality

Acknowledgements

I am incredibly grateful to the members of CTOC who initiated this community-based project and to the two individuals who conducted member checks for these research questions. I also thank my dissertation committee (Dr Eugene Walls, Dr Nicole Nicotera, and Dr Walter LaMendola) for their support and Dr Elizabeth Beck for offering feedback on drafts of this manuscript. This research was supported by an American Fellowship from the American Association of University Women; a University of Denver Office of Graduate Studies Dissertation Fellowship; and a University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work Dissertation Support Award.

Notes

^† This study was conducted as part of a dissertation, and portions of the literature review, methodology, and results are adapted from this source.

1. LGBQ is an umbrella acronym that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning.

2. Also known as gender reassignment surgeries or sex reassignment surgeries, gender-affirming surgeries encompass ‘the process of changing/reassigning one's anatomy through one or more surgeries … Generally, phrases like “the surgery” or “sex change” are not preferable because they hide the reality that there are many different types of surgeries … ’ (Sex Reassignment Surgery, as cited in Seelman et al. 2012, 34). Some people within the transgender community either cannot afford or do not wish to undergo gender-affirming surgeries of any type.

3. Short for ‘common application’, a standardized application form used by many American colleges and universities.

4. This perspective – that some transpeople prefer to use men's or women's restrooms rather than gender-inclusive spaces – was something I have heard in discussions with community activists.