The board of trustees of Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania has issued new guidelines on who is eligible for admission to the undergraduate college. According to the new policy, “in addition to those applicants who were assigned female at birth, the applicant pool will be inclusive of transwomen and of intersex individuals who live and identify as women at the time of application. Intersex individuals who do not identify as male are also eligible for admission. Those assigned female at birth who have taken medical or legal steps to identify as male are not eligible for admission.”
In a further clarification, the college said that “in cases where an applicant’s gender identity is not clearly reflected in their application materials, the College may request additional information, which could include verifiable legal or medical steps taken to affirm gender. In evaluating such additional information, the College fully intends to be as flexible and inclusive as possible.”
Arlene Gibson, chair of the board of trustees, said in a statement that “Bryn Mawr continues its clear mission to educate women to be future leaders, but it also recognizes that conceptions of gender are changing and that the College must respond to these changes.”
The new guidelines will be in place for the 2015-16 admissions cycle.