WSU forms ask non-inclusive race and gender questions, even though these answers are not important to the evaluation of the form.

While our country has become increasingly more accepting of individuality, there are still many instances where our society is failing to adequately represent minorities.

For example, the WSU Junior Writing Portfolios (JWP) cover sheet asks students to specify their gender as either male or female, giving no option for individuals who do not identify as one or the other.

Freshman mechanical engineering major Nicklaus McHendry said that they have had difficulties with how to identify themself for others.

Ive been out as a non-binary person for many years, McHendry said. At this point (it is exhausting to see) a question with a binary male or female box on a form that I dont particularly feel I need to be asked that on.

So, why is WSU asking questions such as these on forms where specifying something such as gender or race isnt necessary? For the JWP, WSU just wants a representation of a students writing ability.

I dont feel that my gender or anyone elses should be specified on a form that doesnt have anything to do with it, McHendry said.

The director of writing assessments, Xyanthe Neider, wrote in an email that students can mark the gender that they feel most adequately represents them or they can leave the question blank.

We understand that gender is much more fluid beyond the binary male/female designators and we revisit this regularly, Neider wrote.

However, there is no indication on the form to suggest that specifying ones gender is optional.

Consequently, attempting to answer this question has left many students confused and frustrated while they ponder which of the two boxes most correctly identifies them.

Its hard not to be upset, McHendry said. In order to get through the day and not spend every waking moment of my life being bothered, angry and upset ... I try to focus on things that are more important.

If they want to ask about gender, they should add the option to write it in on the JWP form, which would make certain minority students feel more accepted.

In addition to the JWP, the WSU online application for admission requires students to report their gender as either male or female. The application also asks students to report their race.

Many universities across the country consider ethnicity and gender in the admission process, which unfairly puts some students at a disadvantage and gives others the upper hand.

According to ballotpedia.org, Washington is one of eight states that currently bans public universities from considering race in admissions, a policy known as Affirmative Action.

WSU does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression (or) religion, the Office for Equal Opportunity states on its website.

It is completely inappropriate to ask students to specify certain personal demographics when those responses have absolutely nothing to do with the reason the form is completed.

So, if WSU is not allowed to consider race during the application process, then why are they asking students to specify it on their application?

Emily Hogan is a freshman genetics and cell biology major from Harrington, Delaware. She can be contacted at 335-2290 or byopinion@dailyevergreen.com. The opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of the staff of The Daily Evergreen or those of The Office of Student Media.

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Binary thought suppresses identity - The Daily Evergreen

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