Dear Members of the Campus Community,
Earlier this week, the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice rescinded existing guidance on Title IX regulations that protected transgender students' access to school bathrooms and locker rooms matching their gender identities. As a university that values inclusion, diversity, and the dignity of all people, we believe it is essential to affirm UMBC’s ongoing support of LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff following this decision.
UMBC will continue to fulfill its commitment to providing equal, gender-inclusive access to university facilities. UMBC is proud to offer dozens of gender-neutral restrooms across the university's public buildings, dorms, and offices—with a commitment to include all-gender restrooms in every newly constructed building—as well as gender-inclusive housing. As a member of the America East conference, we partner with the You Can Play Project and LGBT SportSafe Inclusion Program to create a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ athletes in the locker room and on the playing field.
We also recognize that despite our commitment to fostering a welcoming gender-inclusive community at UMBC, LGBTQ+ people across the country will feel the impact of yesterday’s decision as it affects their access to facilities and feelings of safety and belonging. For additional support, our community members can reach out to the UMBC Counseling Center(which offers a support group for trans students), USG Center for Counseling and Consulting, Mosaic Center for Diversity and Inclusion, office of the vice president of Student Affairs, Women’s Center (which hosts bi-weekly Spectrum meetings), University Health Services(which provides inclusive health care), and LGBTQ Faculty and Staff Association. Additional resources are available through the UMBC Diversity and Inclusion site.
Over the coming weeks, we will continue to closely monitor developments regarding national protections for transgender students, including a Supreme Court case that will be heard in March on transgender student bathroom access.
Thank you for all you do every day to make UMBC a safe, caring, and inclusive learning community.
President Freeman Hrabowski and Provost Philip Rous
