Gender and Race

References to Gender

Simmons strives to maintain a gender-inclusive tone in its communications and recommends using neutral language throughout and avoiding gendered terms unless referring to a specific individual’s gender or pronouns. If an individual requests their pronouns be added, add the pronouns in lowercase in parenthesis after the first mention of their name in the copy of piece.

Replace “daughter” with “student” to avoid assumptions about gender expression and familial relationships

• “Your student will meet with an advisor,” rather than, “Your daughter will meet with her advisor.”

The Simmons mascot, Stormy the Shark, is non-gendered. Instead of using gendered pronouns, simply refer to Stormy by name

• Stormy loves Orientation! See photos of students with our beloved mascot.

For references to graduates of Simmons using the gendered alumnus, alumna, etc., see the “Alumnae/i” tab on the naming conventions page.

References to Race and Ethnicity

Capitalize the first letter of a race or ethnic group; e.g., Black, White, Indigenous, Asian, Latinx, Polish, etc.