Ever been triggered by the word “freshman”? Does it sound like an outdated label harkening back to a culture of intense male supremacy? Or do you just think of your first year of college when you hear that word? Either way, Trinity College Dublin has decided to play it safe and crack away at the patriarchy brick-by-brick, eliminating the word “freshman” from their normative collegiate vocabulary for good.
Instead of “freshman,” first-year students will be referred to as “fresh.” Trinity College Dublin wants to remove the visible gender distinction attached to collegiate vocabulary relating to first-year students. Afterall, there aren’t any freshwomen courses in college (unless you count gender studies), but every first-year course is referred to as “freshmen level.” The term “freshman” is then seen as a word that further marginalizes women and upholds a notion of male supremacy within academia.
Trinity College Dublin’s Vice President Chris Morash recently sent out an e-mail to their students and staff, informing them of this recent name change. From now on, all first-year students will be referred to as “fresh” rather than the traditional “freshman” terminology. He said, “[this] small but important change will ensure that all Trinity students are equally included by the language used to describe them”.
The move reflects an effort made by the college towards promoting an environment of gender inclusivity while dismantling structures that contradict with gender equality.
No more “freshmen” at Trinity College Dublin. They’re all about that “fresh” now…
