San Juan College will vote on including transgender students in nondiscrimination policy

by Grace Babb
Journalism Intern

A college in Farmington, New Mexico is planning to have a vote on including transgender and gender nonconforming students to its nondiscrimination policy.

The San Juan College board will decide if it will update its Student Non-Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Policy this Thursday.

According to the Daily Times of Farmington, Vice President for Administrative Services Ed DesPlas says the new policy would be in line with federal guidelines.

“We’re here to equip people to live successfully in the 21st Century,” DesPlas said. “To be a well-trained workforce, to be good citizens and be open, accepting and inclusive of everyone that is part of this community.”

If approved, the college will provide transgender students equal access to all facilities, educational programs, activities and restrooms.

In May, the Office of Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Education sent an email to all colleges and universities, asking that they ensure all students— including transgender students —can attend school safe from discrimination based on gender.

Colleges that receive federal money are obligated to adhere to the guidance under Title IX, said DesPlas.

 “It’s federal guidelines. We need to comply not only to the letter of the law, but being good individuals, to the spirit of the law,” DesPlas said. “That defines who we are.”

Gender identity is added as a category into the policy of whom the college is committed to providing equal education and employment opportunities, according to the draft of the update.

 “We didn’t have any language specific to transgender individuals in our student policy,” DesPlas said. “We needed to add that.”

The policy update states that students will not be required to have identification to be treated as the gender they identify with, and they will not be required to use facilities that are inconsistent with their gender identity.

DesPlas said that he is aware that some people are uncomfortable with the idea of transgender people using a gendered-restroom that is different from their appearance.

“I think that we know there are going to be folks that have some discomfort and concerns about this,” Kerri Langoni, the college's human resources senior director, said. “But what is important to remember is that this is federal guidelines. This is what we are doing to be compliant with Title IX because we are a Title IX school that receives federal funding.”

A presentation will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday and then vote on the update during their meeting later that evening.

Information from: Daily Times Farmington (Farmington, N.M.), http://www.daily-times.com

Copyright The Gayly – 08/01/16 @ 11:00 a.m.