Man Down!

August 20th, 2016 – Princeton University appears to have no big man on campus these days. The Ivy League institution has taken great strides in reflecting their progressive culture and policies by issuing a four-page memo detailing its revised gender inclusive language guidelines. They define that new language as “writing and speaking about people in a manner that does not use gender-based words. Gender binary is the traditional view on human gender, which does not take into consideration individuals who identify as otherwise, including and not limited to transgender, genderqueer, gender non-conforming, and/or intersex.”

“You must keep your apartment clean.”

To put it in non-Ivy League language: you won’t see the words “man,” “he,” or “she” anymore. The policy explains that moving forward all HR communications, policies, job descriptions and job postings will use only gender neutral terms or exclude pronouns altogether. Instead of saying “Each participant must present his ID badge at the door,” they suggest “All participants must present their ID badges at the door.” Another tip listed in the memo advises using the second person voice. Instead of saying “The tenant must keep her apartment clean and tidy,” they offer up “You must keep your apartment clean and tidy.”