Policy on Inclusive Language

(This file was last updated June 1994. For more information, please contact the Office of Human Relations at 405-2842.)

As an institution that stands for equality of educational and employment opportunity, the University of Maryland at College Park reaffirms its commitment to creating a campus environment free of discrimination and bias, both subtle and overt. It therefore expects all personnel, when representing the university to its publics, to use language that shows respect for human diversity. Those preparing official university publications or written communications shall accordingly avoid biased language of two kinds: l) using generic masculine words or titles to refer to all persons; and 2) using terms or expressions that reinforce inappropriate, outdated, or demeaning attitudes or assumptions about persons or groups based on age, disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, race, religion, or sexual orientation.

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