Education for Employees

Education for Northeastern University Employees

---

Syllabus Guidance

Northeastern University and its faculty are committed to creating a safe and open learning environment for all students. If you or someone you know has experienced discrimination (including discrimination based on sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy or pregnancy related condition, race, religion, national origin, disability status, veteran status etc.), or sexual violence (including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, or stalking), please know that help and support are available. Northeastern strongly encourages all members of the community to take action, seek support, and report incidents of discrimination, harassment, and sexual violence to the Office for University Equity and Compliance (OUEC) through the Online Discrimination Complaint Form found at https://www.northeastern.edu/ouec/file-a-complaint/. 

Please be aware that faculty members are Mandatory University Reporters who are required to disclose information about alleged discrimination, harassment, and sexual violence to the OUEC. If the OUEC receives a report, a member of their office will reach out to offer information about available rights, support resources and pathways towards a resolution as a member of the campus community. Community members are not required to respond to this outreach.  

If you, or another community member you know wishes to speak to a confidential resource who does not have this reporting responsibility, please contact any of the following confidential resources. These confidential resources are not required to report allegations of discrimination to the University without your signed release. 

• Find@Northeastern: Offers 24/7 mental health support via phone at 877.233.9477 (in the U.S.) or +1.781.457.7777 (outside the U.S.).  
• Sexual Violence Resource Center: The SVRC provides confidential, trauma-informed support services to Northeastern students who have experienced any form of sexual violence (i.e., sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, domestic/dating violence, and/or stalking). Request services online at bit.ly/svrequestform.  
• Confidential Resource Advisor: The CRA provides confidential, restorative informed support services to Northeastern students who have been accused of sexual or identity-based harm. Request services online at bit.ly/svrequestform. 

Pregnant / parenting students: Please know that the OUEC, housing the University’s Title IX Coordinator, can work with students who are pregnant and/or parenting to ensure they have equal access to education programs and activities. For additional support, please contact OUEC (ouec@northeastern.edu).  

Please visit www.ouec.northeastern.edu for a complete list of reporting options and support resources both on- and off-campus and contact the OUEC (ouec@northeastern.edu) at any time. 

---

Gender Identity and Pronouns in the Classroom

College is a time of self-discovery for many students. When this self-awareness centers around gender identity, it can mean changes to the names and/or pronouns students use. To help create a safer and more inclusive classroom experience for students, please consider adopting some of the following best practices in your classes.

1. Include pronouns in your introduction, syllabus and email signature. This not only helps students know how to refer to you, it also sets an inclusive tone that makes it safer for students to share their pronouns. (Ex: “I’m Dr. Smith and I use the pronouns she, her and hers. Pronouns are the parts of speech we use to refer to someone instead of their name. Using the right pronoun, like using someone’s correct name, is a way to show respect.”)
2. Allow students to self-identify their name and pronouns. If their name is different than what appears on the roster, privately let the student know their option to change their name in use. This can be done via guidelines on the Northeastern LGBTQA Resource Center website.
3. Honor the name and pronouns a student uses in all settings, even when the student isn’t present.
4. Politely correct those who mis-gender students (whether the student is present or not), including yourself.
5. Familiarize yourself with gender neutral pronouns, such as the singular they (which can be both a personal pronoun, and a safe option when someone’s pronoun is unknown).
6. Do not disclose a student’s gender identity unless you have obtained their consent.
7. Do not ask personal questions of trans and gender non-conforming people that you would not ask of others.

If you are interested in including language on your syllabus, here is a suggestion:

“We have an opportunity in this class to hear from people with different viewpoints and open some lines of communication about difficult or emotional topics. All opinions are welcome, as long as they are grounded in evidence and presented respectfully. I reserve the right to manage, intercede, side-line, or stop a conversation if it is leading us too far off track or if it is disrespectful to others. My name is ________ and I use the pronouns she, her and hers. Pronouns are the parts of speech we use to refer to someone instead of their name. Using the right pronoun, like using someone’s correct name or title, is a way to show respect.”

---