The MSU Board of Trustees added the term "gender identity" to the university's anti-discrimination policy's harassment section in 2003. But for some, that was only a step toward MSU fully recognizing transgender expression.
Communication senior Caiden Marcus said the policy physically protects transgender people, but that's only half of it.
"Right now, no one can beat my ass for being transgender, but they can deny me housing and deny me a job," he said.
The amendment was first introduced into the Academic Governance system by ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government, in 2002. In December 2003, the board passed an amendment that added the term "gender identity" to the harassment section of the university's policy. It currently protects transgender people from harassment, but not discrimination.
Paulette Granberry Russell, senior adviser to the president for diversity, said the issue is complex.
"This is not something that happens so quick," she said. "Because the issue is more complicated, we have decided to do this in steps."
One of the steps includes putting together a new special committee to review the issue. According to the committee's summary, the phrase "gender identity" lacks a standard definition and isn't clearly understood in the university community.
"There have been several recommendations about gender identity and the previous recommendations didn't provide clear guidance on how to act on the issues," Granberry Russell said.
She also said a lot of work and time went into reviewing the first recommendation and adding it to the harassment policy.
Jon Sticklen, chairman of the executive committee of the Academic Council said the first group that reviewed issues about gender identity lacked diversity.
"The last committee was criticized for not being diverse enough... So we don't want that to happen again," he said.
Sticklen said Academic Governance officials are now trying to form a new committee - one with more diversity this time.
"We've been trying to start this committee for about a year and a half now but I'm strongly committed that the new committee will be balanced in terms of representing the community," he said.
But Marcus said they aren't moving fast enough.
"I could maybe see this taking a bit over 30 days, but a year is really dragging your feet," he said.
MSU alumnus TJ Jourian said many transgender people are apprehensive to take part in this campaign because they might be harassed.
Granberry Russell said MSU encourages any group or person to voice their opinions.
"If someone feels threatened to speak out and become part of this, administrators need to know because we don't accept that at all," she said.
Supporters and administrators continue to review all issues surrounding gender identity and dates to review the proposal have not been set, but Marcus isn't optimistic.
"Two years from now it will probably be the same," he said. "I've been let down a lot by the MSU community, so I am a pessimist when it comes to the future of the university."
