What to Expect
Grand Valley is phasing in the universal use of pronouns wherever possible, within the parameters of safety and personal agency. This update to Banner will allow for students, staff and faculty to select the appropriate pronouns for integration across the Banner platform.
Please Note:
- There are many computer systems throughout the university.
- See where pronouns updated in Banner will be stored vs. where additional steps are needed to update pronouns across other platforms.
- Systems will be changing throughout the next three years in getting us towards the goal of total integration across platforms.
- If you have any questions about any aspect of this, please contact us to discuss your situation.
Grand Valley is also phasing in the collection of sexual orientation and gender identity, expression (SOGIE data to make informed decisions, provide culturally and socially relevant interventions, appropriately allocate resources, and further recruitment and retention efforts among historically under-represented communities.
SYSTEMS WHERE PRONOUNS WILL DISPLAY
|
SYSTEM |
CAMPUS |
POPULATION |
USAGE |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Banner Admin |
ALL |
Students, Staff, Faculty |
|
|
Banner General Self-Service |
ALL |
Students, Staff, Faculty |
|
|
Banner Class List Self-Service |
ALL |
Students, Staff, Faculty |
|
|
Banner Advising Profile Self-Service |
ALL |
Students, Staff, Faculty |
YOU WILL STILL NEED TO UPDATE BLACKBOARD AND ZOOM WITH YOUR PRONOUNS.
WHO WILL BE USING OUR SOGIE DATA & FOR WHAT PURPOSES
The Inclusive Data Collection Project has been years in the making, developed by a team spanning all Divisions of the University and led by the LGBT Resource Center. A core recommendation across offices, divisions, departments and initiatives has been to "collect optional demographic information related to sexual orientation and gender identity at various points of the lifecycle of students, staff and faculty." The launch of this Project in Fall 2023 is the result of intentional community conversation with a wide variety of key partners across campus.
By gathering this information through voluntary and confidential means, GVSU can develop and improve on targeted initiatives and resources that address the specific needs of LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff as well as create a safer campus experience for all. This data can inform the design of comprehensive diversity and inclusion programs, mental health services, and counseling options that address the challenges and concerns faced by these communities. Analyzing trends and disparities in educational outcomes, retention rates, and participation in extracurricular activities based on sexual orientation and gender identity data can help identify potential areas for improvement and promote equal access to educational opportunities at GVSU and beyond.
These are a handful of the offices, initiatives and organizing bodies that will engage the campus community in meaning-making around trends and analysis, as well as direct appropriate strategic responses:
- Activation and Accountability Leadership Team
- LGBT Resource Center
- Office of Civil Rights and Title IX
- Campus Climate Concerns Team
- LGBTQIA+ Learners Strategic Enrollment Management Plan Team
- LGBT Faculty Staff Association
Responsible use of this data fosters a campus culture where all individuals feel valued, respected, and empowered to thrive academically and personally, which embodies a core mission of GVSU. You can read more about how GVSU is committed to the highest standards of privacy and confidentiality of our community members' SOGIE data, including what divisions and specific employees will serve as stewards of these datasets.