FAQ "trans*, inter*, non-binary (TIN*) at the University of Göttingen"

Although inclusive language is quite common today, it remains new and unfamiliar to many. For us, one thing is clear: language shapes reality, and we are committed to ensuring that everyone at our university feels included.

The use of an inclusive language addressing all genders - employing gender-neutral terms or an asterisk (*) - has been made mandatory for documents of the University of Göttingen.

The university has drawn up a set of guidelines to implement the Executive Committee’s decision of 18 February 2020 regarding inclusive writing: see here....

You can find a reference tool with a search function for gender-inclusive and gender-neutral language options here: https://geschicktgendern.de/.

Here you can find an overview of studies on the topic "Definition and Repercussions of Misgendering" by Margret Göth (2021).

You can find more about sexual, romantic, and gender diversity here: Queer Lexikon ».

PS: My pronouns are she/her. Please feel free to let me know which pronouns I may use to address you.

You've probably read this sentence at the end of an e-mail before and asked yourself whether it means that everyone at the university is now on a first-name basis. However, the note is about personal and possessive pronouns and therefore also about the question of which gender a person is linguistically (unintentionally) assigned. Naming and asking about personal pronouns is a form of discrimination-sensitive language. Pronouns can be used to inquire how people would like to be addressed. You can be on the safe side with gender-neutral spelling and salutation (e.g. Dear Students, Dear Employees) if you don't yet know the person you want to speak or write to and want to address them politely and without hurting them.

Furthermore, you can find a wealth of information and info sheets on the topic of "gender diversity" on the following page of the Equal Opportunities and Diversity Unit: Gender diversity at the University of Göttingen.

There, you can find, among other things, the info sheet "Terms and Definitions" regarding gender diversity: Terms and Definitions (pdf, in German).

On the page https://neopronomen.nrw/, you can practice using neopronouns online with the web application Dreo.

More on pronouns, abinary genders, terms, etc.: https://nibi.space/.

The university allows all newly enrolled students to leave their gender unspecified. It is also possible to change your gender entry to "not specified" during the course of your studies by submitting an informal request to the Registrar's Office (email to infoline-studium@uni-goettingen.de).

As a result, gender-specific forms of address or titles (such as “Ms. XY” or “Mr. XY”) will no longer be used on certificates - you do not need to take any further action.

The Registrar's Office generally avoids gender-specific forms of address on certifications and in communication with students.

However, unfortunately, leaving the gender entry blank in the master data has no effect on the first name entry: the latter can only be changed through the official procedure - you can find further information on this here.: Change of first name and/or gender entry for trans*, inter* and non-binary students.

YES!
Trans*, inter*, and non-binary students at the University of Göttingen can change their first name and/or gender entry upon request. No court order or official documentation from the registry office is required for this.

If you would like to learn more about the procedure, the application process, the legal basis, and the background details, you can find all further information on the Service Office Student Affairs website: Change of first name and/or gender entry for trans*, inter* and non-binary students. Furthermore, you can contact one of the various counseling centers at the university or in the city of Göttingen that offer advice specifically on trans*, inter*, or queer topics.

Like the gender entry, the first name is part of the master data the university stores of its students. This master data serves as the basis for numerous university documents and processes. The first name recorded there appears, for example, on voting and attendance lists; in the eCampus system and when using self-service functions; in university-generated eCampus emails; in Stud.IP (e.g., when registering for seminars or using the platform's features); on the student ID card; and in FlexNow (e.g., when registering for or withdrawing from exams).

Unfortunately, there is currently no way to hide the first name and gender entry stored in the master data, nor to change them easily and independently via a self-service function in eCampus.

The University of Göttingen chose the term "WCs for all" for its all-gender toilets. You can now find "WCs for all" in many locations across the university, though unfortunately not yet everywhere. You can find an up-to-date list of these toilets, which was largely compiled by the student group aqut*, on the dedicated information webpage: "WCs for all" at the University of Göttingen.

Accessible toilets and "WCs for all" are marked on the accessibility map, which you can view online (Link: https://lageplan.uni-goettingen.de) or download as app (Link: free Android app in the Google Play Store). In order to see the "WCs for all", click the square "Diversity and Family" button at the top (the box features a circle, squares, and a triangle). The "WCs for all" are marked with a circle symbol. If you notice any incorrect entries, please send a brief message to the contact listed on the "WCs for all" information webpage.

For new buildings and major renovation projects, the university strives to provide "WCs for all." The Equal Opportunities and Diversity Unit, in collaboration with Facility Management, has developed recommendations to support those advocating for the conversion of toilets into "WCs for all." Another document explains why "WCs for all" are important at the University of Göttingen. You can find all the documents mentioned here: "WCs for all" at the University of Göttingen.

If you see a need for additional all-gender toilets in any university building or part of the campus, please feel free to send a brief email to the contact listed on the "WCs for all" information webpage. Alternatively, you are welcome to send your suggestions to the student group aqut* (Email: aqut_goe@riseup.net), which then forwards your report in anonymized form to the Equal Opportunities and Diversity Unit, which is responsible for protection against discrimination for TIN* individuals.

On the new webpage of the Equal Opportunities and Diversity Unit STOP SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND VIOLENCE, you have the opportunity to: a) find counseling; b) report incidents; c) view the policy on the prevention of and protection against sexualized harassment and violence; and d) find information on "campus safety".

If you are unsure how to interpret or assess what you have experienced, the „Guide: Dealing with discrimination at the University of Göttingen“ offers detailed information and may be able to assist you. In the “What can I do?” section, you will find a list of university counseling services, some of which specialize in the challenges faced by - and the support available to - socially disadvantaged groups.

For any concerns regarding teaching and learning, you can always contact the Ombudsperson and Complaint Management for Teaching and Learning and the Anti-discrimination counseling. Meike Gottschlich and her team are available to provide confidential advice to individuals facing difficult situations that seem to have no solution, or to those who feel they are not being taken seriously, misunderstood, or treated disrespectfully. Naturally, this advice is available on an anonymous and confidential basis.

You can turn to one of the various counseling centers in Göttingen - such as an equal opportunities office - with any concerns regarding trans*, inter*, or queer issues.

Following the implementation of projects and measures regarding protection against discrimination (covering both prevention and intervention) in recent years, the university developed a concept for protection against discrimination. This concept builds upon existing activities, values ​​and consolidates them, and systematically develops them further. The goal is to implement protection against discrimination in a comprehensive, transparent, and practical manner. You can find further information on the topic of protection against discrimination and the concept itself here: Protection against discrimination.

At the University of Göttingen, the orientation phase for students is organized by various bodies. Within the faculties, the offices of the deans of studies and student advisory services are usually involved, and equal opportunities officers often participate as well. Student activities are frequently organized by student representatives of the faculties or subject-specific student groups. Information is also available from the General Students' Committee/Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss (AStA).

The Guide „Orientation for all“ (PDF), developed by students for students, provides tips and lists points of contact for organizing an inclusive orientation phase.

Yes! There are several options:

LINKS

• aqut* – Action queer and trans* at the University of Göttingen | Empowerment group | aqut* (action queer and trans*) is a student group at the University of Göttingen that advocates for the interests of queer and trans* individuals and opposes their discrimination.
• Equity* – Empowerment for queer youth und young adults up to age 27 | Youth program: equity* is a project dedicated to young queer people and the issues that matter to them. It offers leisure, sports, and counseling services, as well as opportunities for connecting with other queer people and support in advocating for one's own rights and social participation.
• On the webpage of the Trans*Counseling Göttingen, you can find various other events and groups such as trans*inter* & friends swimming, or groups like the queer youth group, the group for relatives of trans* people, and the group for trans* women in Göttingen, along with all relevant contact information.

There are currently various counseling centers in Göttingen, either at the university or in the city itself:

LINKS

• Counseling for trans* people at the AStA: After the university’s project to support trans* students was not extended and therefore no longer exists, there is now a self-organised peer-to-peer trans* counseling for students provided by the AStA
• Project „Equity* – Empowerment for queer youth und young adults up to age 27“: As the university supports the project, there are dedicated consultation hours available for University of Göttingen students and staff regarding topics such as sexual orientation, gender identity, or the queer experience in one's studies or at the workplace. The counseling is solution-oriented and grounded in a queer-positive approach.

• Trans*Counseling Göttingen: The Trans*Counseling Göttingen is a counseling center on the topic of transgender (e.g. trans*, transident, transsexual, non-binary, genderqueer people). They offer counseling for trans* people, people who are wondering whether they might be trans*, friends and relatives, as well as people who work with trans* folks like social workers, psychologists and other professionals.

  The Trans*Counseling is based at the Queer Center Göttingen.

If you are unsure who is responsible for your issue, you can contact the Ombudsperson and Complaint Management for Teaching and Learning, Silja-Katharina Haufe. The representative provides information, advice, mediation, support, and guidance, depending on the nature of your inquiry. You can contact the representative via personal or anonymous email, by phone, or using the (anonymous) contact form. All inquiries are treated confidentially. Issues may relate, for example, to exams and procedural questions; facilities and resources (e.g., childcare services); difficulties in interactions with teaching staff, employees, or fellow students; crises and conflicts; discrimination of any kind; or violence or threats..

You can also contact the advisors at „Equity* – Empowerment for queer youth und young adults up to age 27 or the Trans*Counseling Göttingen, to find out whether support from an organization based outside the university leads further.

The various AStA departments or the group aqut* – Action queer and trans* at the University of Göttingen are also available if you don't yet know exactly where to turn with your concern.

LINKS

• Trans* Emancipatory Higher Education Policy Working Group »
• State Specialist Centre for Trans* Issues at the Queer Network Lower Saxony (QNN) »
• State Specialist Centre for Inter* Issues at the Queer Network Lower Saxony (QNN) »
• Federal Association Trans* e.V. »
• German Society for trans* and inter* identities (dgti) »
• Organisation Intersex International (OII Germany/IVIM) »
• TransInterQueer e.V. (TrIQ) »
• Federal Conference of Women’s and Equal Opportunities Officers at Higher Education Institutions (bukof): Recommendations for Action on Gender Diversity at Higher Education Institutions, developed by the Commission for Queer Higher Education Policy.
• Gender diversity at the University of Göttingen, information webpage by the Equal Opportunities and Diversity Unit of the University of Göttingen.

• Through a decision by the Executive Committee on February 18, 2020, the university adopted an inclusive style of writing for job advertisements and all formal university documents. In the long term, this policy is intended to apply to all areas of internal communication and the university's public image. The Executive Committee’s decision is binding for all members and affiliates of the University of Göttingen and serves as a guideline, particularly for teaching staff and employees responsible for job advertisements and formal documents.

• To support everyone in implementing this decision, the Equal Opportunities and Diversity Unit, together with the Public Relations Department, has developed a set of suggestions and guidelines and compiled them on the webpage „Inclusive Writing – A Guide“. Important: Unless explicitly stated otherwise, all these notes and suggestions are non-binding recommendations.

• On the webpage https://geschicktgendern.de/ you can find a gender dictionary with a search function for alternative gender-inclusive and gender-neutral terms.

The UniSport Göttingen offers activities for LGBTQIA+ individuals, such as a running course or group fitness class, a self-defense workshop for FLINTA* participants each semester, and a monthly "trans*inter* & friends swimming" session. Additionally, there are events held throughout the year in cooperation with local queer networks (e.g., sports activities as part of the Queer Cultural Days Göttingen or in collaboration with the Queer Center Göttingen). You can find all current queer-focused activities by entering "Diversität" (diversity) into the search bar in the UniSport store.

• There is a “WCs for all” facility in the basement of the UniSport building (near the exit leading to the sports fields). All other restrooms are currently still structured on a binary basis, but have been explicitly expanded to include “trans*” and “inter*” designations.

• Changing and shower facilities are currently structured on a binary basis. However, the Central University Sports department has expanded the naming here as well - analogous to the restrooms - to include "trans*" and "inter*". These changing rooms feature only communal showers. Changing rooms for everyone, equipped with individual cubicles (though without shower facilities), are located on Level 0 near the all-gender restrooms. All-gender individual cubicles with shower facilities are also being considered, though concrete plans are not yet in place.

• During the trans*inter* & friends swimming sessions, the changing rooms and showers are exclusively for everyone.

• If case-by-case solutions are required, please contact the equality team of the University Sport: contact persons safe sport.

So far, no all-gender changing rooms and shower facilities are known to exist in laboratory buildings.