After repeated student requests and similar actions by many peer institutions, Northwestern added "gender identity and expression" to the language of its non-discrimination policy.
Rainbow Alliance President Patrick Dawson, a Weinberg junior, described the change as a "monumental step" that could improve current and prospective students' perceptions of the NU administration. Previously, NU was the only school among U.S. News & World Report's top 15 national universities without such a provision.
Members of the NU Gender Protection Initiative began campaigning for the addition last year, as well as organizing support for more unisex bathrooms on campus and gender-neutral housing options.
Gender Protection Initiative members are "unsurprisingly very happy" and currently working on publicizing the change, said McCormick senior Mykell Miller, former initiative president and current student adviser to the group.
The administration's decision could help the initiative's members achieve their other goals, Dawson said.
"It shows that NU is supportive of protecting students who may feel uncomfortable in certain environments and want a safe on-campus living experience," Dawson said.
Vice President for Student Affairs William Banis said the addition is not a change in policy but is simply a response to student requests to formally include the language.
"Gender identity and expression have always been included by state statute," Banis said. "All we're doing is making it explicit."
But the inclusion is more than just technical, Miller said.
"It shows that NU does not discriminate, not only because it's against the law, but also because NU wants to be an inclusive environment," he said.
- CHRISTINA SALTER
is a member of the 
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