Transgender Guidelines
Southern Adventist University believes that all members of the Southern community are children of God, including those who experience gender incongruence. While recognizing unique challenges in the transgender community, this policy is consistent with the biblical teachings on sexuality of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. When making decisions regarding housing, the use of restrooms or locker rooms, playing in intramural sports, and other matters, Southern’s decisions will be based upon the individual's biological sex. Transgender students of our community have access to all resources of this campus, including the Title IX Office, and may participate in extracurricular activities. The mental and spiritual health of our transgender students is important to us, and counseling and other resources are available from Student Support Services and the Office of Ministry and Missions.
Transgender Guidelines
The Transgender Guidelines identify the principles guiding Southern Adventist University with respect to transgender individuals on our campus. While voted on by Senate and the University Assembly, the intent is that these guidelines may be further adapted by Cabinet.
Mental and Spiritual Health: Recognizing that gender dysphoria may result in increased anxiety, depression, and even self-harm, Southern encourages those who are experiencing gender dysphoria to avail themselves of the resources, support, and counseling available through Student Support Services and the Office of Ministry and Missions.
Housing: Because of our commitment to Seventh-day Adventist convictions regarding sexual purity and modesty, Southern has always maintained residence halls that are exclusive to members of a single biological sex. Thus, non-married students will be placed in student housing based on their biological sex. Further, it should be recognized that the realities or circumstances present for some transgender students may prompt Southern to consider special housing considerations for that student.
Public Bathrooms: When using public bathrooms or locker rooms that are gender specific, students are to use the facilities in accordance with their biological sex.
Athletics: When involved in gender-specific intramural sports, all students are to participate on the same team as members of their biological sex.
Dress and Appearance: It is expected that all students will dress appropriately and in harmony with Southern’s dress code. Clothing and appearance that is intended to represent a gender that is opposite to a person’s biological sex is considered incompatible with our biblical principles.
Leadership: Student leadership is reserved for those that are committed to respecting the teachings of the church on the congruence between biological sex and gender and abiding by Southern's policies.
Intersex: Southern acknowledges the rare condition, known as intersex, where there is a demonstratable biological ambiguity in one’s sexual identity. At times, early misidentification of gender will result in the need for such persons to transition back to their actual birth sex. The references and guidelines with regard to transgender in this document do not refer to such medically-identified cases.
Sexual Harassment: All forms of sexual harassment towards or by members of Southern’s community, whether specific individuals identify themselves as heterosexual, homosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or other, is incompatible with the values that Southern upholds. Individuals who have been subject to sexual harassment should report this to the Title IX Coordinator. Implementation of Southern’s policies, in harmony with its Christian principles, or discussion of the Adventist Church’s position, are not considered harassment. The full Title IX Sexual Harassment and Non-Discrimination Sexual Misconduct Policy may be found on Southern’s Student Development web page.
Individuals who fail to treat any member of Southern’s community with dignity (including with respect to their sexuality), by ridiculing, abusing, or bullying them, will be subject to sanctions.