Gender Identity Resources
Davidson's commitment to diversity, access, and inclusivity is grounded in our college's Statement of Purpose and extends to the entire Davidson community.
Our policy is to admit qualified students and administer all educational, athletic, financial, and employment activities without discrimination based on race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law unless allowed by law and deemed necessary to the administration of the college's educational programs or operations.
This page provides information for transgender, transitioning, gender non-binary, and gender non-conforming students, alumni, and employees.
Interest Groups & Additional Resources
Davidson College provides a number of resources and networks for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and asexual and/or ally (LGBTQA) students, faculty, alumni and employees.
Information on Gender and Sexuality Interest Groups is available online.
The Gay-Straight Alumni Network of Davidson (GSAND) serves as a source of support, advocacy, visibility, and programming for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) alumni population of Davidson. GSAND is an informal affinity network created to facilitate connections between LGBTQ alumni and the college.
Admission
Primary Contact: Marlene Arellano, Assistant Dean of Admission and Director of Admission Diversity and Inclusion, maarellano@davidson.edu
Applicants to Davidson may self-identify gender on the Davidson admission application, the Common Application, and the Coalition Application. Applicants are also asked to provide information on their sex, which refers to an applicant's legal sex at the time of the application (typically, this is an applicant's sex assigned at birth). For applicants seeking financial aid, federal reporting standards require that this information match what is on file with the Social Security Administration and the Selective Service System.
Student Housing
Primary Contact: Mary Ann Shessler, Housing Assignments Coordinator, mashessler@davidson.edu
The Residence Life Office (RLO) and the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) work together to provide Gender Inclusive Housing, a means to acknowledge and respect the various gender identities of our residents. The Residence Life Office makes it a priority for every student to feel welcome and safe in their living environment. Some students feel more comfortable in a living environment where students mutually agree to live in a housing area regardless of their gender identity. Gender Inclusive Housing offers a gender-integrated community to meet those needs. As such, students of different gender identities may share a room.
Currently, the Gender Inclusive Housing (GIH) community will be located in suites in base Duke Residence Hall is available to sophomore, junior and senior students participating in the on-campus housing lottery. All students interested in this housing option must apply during the spring semester via an application provided by the Residence Life Office. The selection of the residents for the community will be a joint decision between the Center for Diversity and Inclusion and the Residence Life Office. The residents selected for this community will be charged the double room rate to make the program accessible to all students. Incoming students (first-year and transfer students) should contact the Residence Life Office for gender inclusive housing options at rlo@davidson.edu.
LGBTQIA+ Student Resource Guide
The LGBTQIA+ Student Resource Guide is a student-driven project implemented through Davidson College’s Center for Diversity and Inclusion. It is our collective hope that students can use this guide to easily access resources and support without stigma and minimal barriers so that queer and trans students can THRIVE on campus.
Gender Inclusive Restrooms
At Davidson College, we strive to promote inclusive spaces for our community members and visitors. To assist in this inclusivity, we offer a Gender Inclusive Restroom listing. Each of the restrooms on this list identifies unisex and single-stall restroom facilities. For questions or more information, please email cdi@davidson.edu.
Employee Health Insurance
Primary Contact: Rene Baker, Assistant Director of Human Resources for Benefits, rebaker@davidson.edu
Davidson College's health insurance plan includes coverage for qualified health services associated with gender reassignment. Any employee or employee's dependent with questions about this coverage can receive confidential assistance from Benefit Advocates, 866-677-8005.
Athletics & Locker Rooms
Primary Contact: Katy McNay, Assistant Director of Athletics for Compliance, SWA, kamcnay@davidson.edu
Davidson College follows the NCAA Policy on Transgender Student-Athlete Participation:
- A trans male (FTM) student-athlete who has received a medical exception for treatment with testosterone for diagnosed Gender Identity Disorder or gender dysphoria and/or Transsexualism, for purposes of NCAA competition may compete on a men's team, but is no longer eligible to compete on a women's team without changing that team status to a mixed team.
- A trans female (MTF) student-athlete being treated with testosterone suppression medication for Gender Identity Disorder or gender dysphoria and/or Transsexualism, for the purposes of NCAA competition may continue to compete on a men's team but may not compete on a women's team without changing it to a mixed team status until completing one calendar year of testosterone suppression treatment.
Any transgender student-athlete who is not taking hormone treatment related to gender transition may participate in sex-separated sports activities in accordance with his or her assigned birth gender.
- A trans male (FTM) student-athlete who is not taking testosterone related to gender transition may participate on a men's or women's team.
- A trans female (MTF) transgender student-athlete who is not taking hormone treatments related to gender transition may not compete on a women's team.
Everyone may use the general use locker rooms in which you feel most comfortable. Student athletes may use their designated team locker rooms, which are team-specific but not gender specific. Any student athlete may request private, enclosed changing areas, showers, and toilets.
Change of Records
Students, alumni and employees who need their name changed within in college records and college documents can make this request to specific offices at the college depending on their role.
Changing Student Records
Primary Contact: Angie Dewberry, Registrar, andewberry@davidson.edu
A student's name of record at Davidson College is the legal name under which the student was admitted to the college.
Description of terms and how they apply to a student record:
- Preferred First Name: name by which the student prefers to be called. The student's preferred first and last name are listed on course rosters.
- First Name: legal first name
- Last Name: legal last name
- Full Legal Name: listed on the academic transcript
Preferred Name and Prefix Change
Any student who goes by a chosen or preferred name (other than their legal name) can submit the Name and Prefix Change Request Form to the Registrar's Office. No documentation is required to change or add a preferred name or prefix to a student's record. Please note there are a variety of systems across campus that contain names. Not all will be updated with this change. You will need to contact individual offices when you see the incorrect name displayed. If not obvious, the Registrar's Office may help determine the correct office to contact. Business Services, for example, uses legal name by default but they will use preferred name upon request.
Legal Name Change
Students, former students, or graduates who wish to change their name on their official academic record, should complete a Name and Prefix Change Request Form and submit it to the Registrar's Office with a copy of a state or federally issued photo ID, such as a passport, driver's license, or permanent resident card showing usage of the requested name.
Individuals without one of these forms of ID may present two of the following documents as evidence for the request: a notarized marriage certificate or divorce decree, a court order documenting a name change, voter registration card, a Social Security card, or bank documents.
At the discretion of the Registrar, minor name changes (e.g. corrected spelling) may be made without additional documentation.
Diploma Name Change
Students or graduates who wish to have their chosen or preferred name (other than their legal name) displayed on their diploma should contact the Registrar's Office.
Gender Marker Change
Students, former students, or graduates who wish to change their gender marker on file with the college should submit a request to the Registrar's Office with a copy of a birth certificate or State or Federally issued identification card showing use of the requested gender marker.
Changing Alumni Records
Primary Contact: Kristen Tuttle, Associate Director of Operations, krtuttle@davidson.edu
Preferred Name and Prefix Change
Alumni who go by a chosen or preferred name (other than their legal name) can submit their name and prefix change request to alumni@davidson.edu.
Legal Name Change
Alumni who have changed their legal name can update their alumni record by submitting a name change request to alumni@davidson.edu with a copy of a state or federally issued photo ID, such as a passport, driver's license, or permanent resident card showing usage of the requested name.
Individuals without one of these forms of ID may present two of the following documents as evidence for the request: a notarized marriage certificate or divorce decree, a court order documenting a name change, voter registration card, a Social Security card, or bank documents.
Gender Marker Change
Alumni who wish to change their gender marker should submit a request to alumni@davidson.edu.
Changing Employee Records
Primary Contact: Lorraine Wright, Human Resources Data Coordinator, lowright@davidson.edu
Preferred Name and Prefix Change
Any employee who goes by a chosen or preferred name (other than their legal name) can submit the Name and Prefix Change Request Form to Human Resources. No documentation is required to change or add a preferred name or prefix to a student's record. Please note there are a variety of systems across campus that contain names. Not all will be updated with this change. You will need to contact individual offices when you see the incorrect name displayed. If not obvious, Human Resources may help determine the correct office to contact. Business Services, for example, uses legal name by default but they will use preferred name upon request.
Legal Name Change
Employees who wish to change their official name of record at the College should complete a Name and Prefix Change Request Form and submit it to Human Resources with a copy of a state or federally issued photo ID, such as a passport, driver's license, or permanent resident card showing usage of the requested name.
Individuals without one of these forms of ID may present two of the following documents as evidence for the request: a notarized marriage certificate or divorce decree, a court order documenting a name change, voter registration card, a Social Security card, or bank documents.
At the discretion of Human Resources, minor name changes (e.g. corrected spelling) may be made without additional documentation.
Gender Marker Change
Employees who wish to change their gender marker should submit a request to Human Resources with a copy of a birth certificate or state or federally issued identification card showing use of the requested gender marker.