On February 23, 2017, Augsburg College’s Mike Grewe sent a letter reiterating the support by Augsburg College of equity and inclusion for transgender students. The text of the letter by Grewe, who is Director of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA) Student Services and Assistant Director, Campus Activities and Orientation, is below. Augsburg College is deeply committed to social justice and human rights and remains committed to inclusion and equity for transgender students.
Text of Letter to Augsburg Community
Dear Augsburg Community,
As many of you are aware, yesterday the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice withdrew support for their “Dear Colleague Letter on Transgender Students” from May 2016. This letter stated that discrimination against transgender individuals was covered under Title IX protections regarding sex non-discrimination in higher education. The letter also gave guidance around how to provide support for transgender students, both within K-12 settings and within higher education.
I’m emailing to let you know that the federal government’s decision to withdraw it’s support for federal transgender non-discrimination protection does not impact Augsburg’s commitment to providing a welcoming, inclusive, and equitable environment for transgender and gender non-conforming students here. Augsburg’s non-discrimination statement includes gender identity and gender expression, and as a “Reconciling in Christ” institution within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Augsburg affirms and welcomes LGBTQIA-identified individuals.