Princeton University: Don't Use the Word 'Man'

Princeton University recently released new guidelines that forces staff to use "gender-inclusive language" when addressing students.

The four-page memo developed by the university's human resource department gives examples of gender titles and occupations, most of them including the word "man," and changes them to a more gender neutral title.

For example, a mailman must be addressed as a "mail carrier, letter carrier or postal worker." For terms like anchorman or freshman, "man" must be dropped.

The word "woman" is not excluded either. A "cleaning lady" must now be addressed as a "office cleaner" and a chairwoman should be addressed as a "chair," "chairperson," or "convener."

"Gender-inclusive language is writing and speaking about people in a manner that does not use gender-based words," the department wrote.

The memo explains that the style guidelines, endorsed by the Institutional Equity Planning Group, have to be utilized by all HR staff members in communications, policies, job descriptions, and job postings.

"These communication guidelines reflect the inclusive culture and policies at Princeton University," it reads.

In a statement to The College Fix, John Cramer, Princeton's director of media relations, said the guidelines "reflect the university's initiative of fostering an inclusive environment."

Princeton's policy implements changes to "gendered pronouns" such as "he, him, his, and she, her, hers." They suggests "rewriting the pronoun in the plural" or eliminating the pronoun "altogether."

Source: The College Fix