Penn State University Votes To Cancel Gendered Terms like ‘Freshman’ And ‘Sophomore’
The pronouns are at it again!
The faculty at Penn State University voted to have traditional descriptors like ‘freshman’ and ‘sophomore’ replaced. The faculty would like to use terms such as ‘1st year’ and ‘2nd year’ instead. What is this? Hogwarts? This change comes from citing the former’s “male-centric academic history” and the Faculty Senate Bill on the “Removal of Gendered & Binary Terms from Course and Program Descriptions.”
Really? I am just so curious; people ACTUALLY get offended by things like this? Don’t we have bigger issues going on than to be referred to as a ‘freshman’?
The bill aiming to make these changes stated: “As such, many terms in our lexicon carry a strong, male-centric, binary character to them. Terms such as ‘freshmen’ are decidedly male-specific, while terms such as ‘upperclassmen’ can be interpreted as both sexist and classist. Terms such as ‘junior’ and ‘senior’ are parallel to western male father-son naming conventions, and much of our written documentation uses he/she pronouns.”
The bill would also like to steer clear of “negatively reflect[ing]” fifth-year undergraduates by ceasing to call them “super seniors.”
A policy allowing students to be recognized by their selected name and gender is what fueled these changes.
“Concerns have been raised that numbering years beyond the fourth (4th) would perhaps negatively reflect on students who, for various reasons, are taking longer to complete their (typically) four-year programs, and are also referred to as ‘super-seniors’. In this case, the term does often carry a slightly negative connotation.”
Here we go again, making changes to perfectly fine terms based on feelings. When are we going to realize WE ARE NEVER GOING TO MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY.
How about we build stronger, more confident individuals and work on mental health in our country instead of giving in to the mob of people whose “feelings are hurt”?
I am so tired of hearing stories under the guise of more ‘inclusiveness.’ We are building a weak society.
And by the way, my pronouns are GET/OVER/IT. Please abide by my decision. Thank you.
Let me hear your thoughts on this change!
