Click Here for the NCAA Inclusion Handbook (pdf)

The Sarah Lawrence College Department of Athletics and Physical Education is committed to upholding the College's nondiscrimination policy, ensuring that all students are given a fair chance to participate in intercollegiate athletics regardless of their race, sex, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or its expression, disability, religion, age, veteran status, or national or ethnic origin.


SLC MEDIA POLICY

Each academic year, the sports information office asks all student-athletes to designate a preferred name and preferred gender pronoun (male, female, neutral). Students are not asked to explain any reason for their preferences. These preferences will be observed in all internal and external references to the student-athlete (game stories, award nominations, etc.). When appropriate and only with the permission of the student-athlete, the Sports Information Director may directly inform an external party (such as a conference office or opposing team) of a student-athlete's gender pronoun preferences in an effort to preserve the comfort of the student-athlete. An example of this would be a conference player-of-the-week nomination.


NCAA POLICY ON TRANSGENDER STUDENT-ATHLETE PARTICIPATION

In collaboration with medical professionals, legal counsel, advocates and transgender student-athletes, the NCAA has adopted policies to ensure that all students have an opportunity for fair participation in intercollegiate sports.

In summary, the following policies have been adopted:

A trans male (FTM) student-athlete who

... has received treatment with testosterone may compete on a men's team, but is no longer eligible to compete on a women's team. A medical exception must be secured by the NCAA. Sarah Lawrence College will use care and discretion to maintain the student-athlete's comfort through the exception process.

... has not been treated with testosterone may participate on a women's or men's team.


A trans female (MTF) student-athlete who

... is being treated with testosterone suppression medication may continue to compete on a men's team but may not compete on a women's team until completing one calendar year of testosterone suppression treatment. The student-athlete may practice with the women's team during the year of ineligibility.

... is not being treated with testosterone suppression may compete on a men's team but not on a women's team.

Updated, January 2017: The NCAA Management Council has approved waiver guidelines that allow student-athletes transitioning from male to female to practice with their team without losing a season of competition if: They can provide medical documentation confirming they are in their first year of testosterone suppression treatment or are within a year of surgical intervention; the institution certifies it has received that documentation; and the student-athlete is otherwise eligible for practice. As always, Sarah Lawrence will use care and discretion to maintain the student-athlete's comfort through the waiver process.


SLC ATHLETICS POLICY ON TRANSGENDER STUDENT-ATHLETE PARTICIPATION

The NCAA's policy shall apply to all SLC teams governed by the Association.

SLC equestrian is designated as a coed team. Therefore, student-athletes are permitted to participate in equestrian without regard to gender.


UNIFORMS AND CHANGING AREAS

Transgender student-athletes are permitted to dress consistently with their own gender identities. For those teams that have implemented travel dress codes, student-athletes are asked to wear attire that is clean, neat, well cared for and appropriately "dressy" for representing their school and team; gender-specific articles of clothing shall not be mandated.

All team members will be given access to uniforms that are appropriate for their sport and that they feel comfortable wearing. No students will be required to wear a gendered uniform that conflicts with the student's gender identity. Reasonable accommodations will be made to suit these preferences; student-athletes are reminded to inform their coach of this preference as soon as possible so that appropriate articles can be obtained.

SLC permits transgender student-athletes to elect which changing area they feel most comfortable utilizing. Unfortunately, the Campbell Sports Center is not equipped with a gender-neutral restroom; however, private changing areas (e.g. staff locker room) are made available, subject to the preferences of the student-athlete. Student-athletes who are permitted to use staff changing areas are not required to use them.

THE STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY

In order to avoid challenges to a transgender student's participation during a sport season, a student athlete who has completed, plans to initiate, or is in the process of taking hormones as part of a gender transition shall notify their coach or the Director of Athletics upon matriculation or when the decision to undergo hormonal treatment is made. The student-athlete will be guided through the necessary documentation for obtaining a medical exception.

If desired, the student will be assisted in arranging meetings with someone who can offer support and advice through the process. College resources include the Director of Athletics, the Office of the Dean of Studies, the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs, the Office of the Dean of Equity and Inclusion, the Director of Counseling and Psychological Services and/or the Director of Medical Services.