Sarah Lawrence College affirms its commitment to supporting our diverse student body. Our goal is to foster belonging and offer support for all members of our community including trans, gender-queer and gender non-conforming students. The purpose of this student guide is to provide Sarah Lawrence College students, faculty and staff with more information about available resources and community support.
Federal and state laws, such as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, section 11(a) of Article I of the New York State Constitution and the New York State Human Rights Law, prohibit discrimination and harassment that are based on a range of characteristics, including sexual orientation. New York State law specifically prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
The Chosen Name Process
Typically, the first name originally entered into the Common App at the time of application to the college is the first name entered into SLC’s systems by default. Students can use MySLC to enter a chosen name that is different from their legal, given first name. The name change will be reviewed by the Office of Student Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and should take effect across most systems within 3-4 business days.
The Chosen Name form is also available to students on the “Required checklist” for incoming students. More information on the Chosen Name form here
Your chosen first name will now appear on class rosters, forums, registration material, course evaluations, and printed mail sent to your home address. Please remember that the Office of Student Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging does not share your chosen name with your friends, family, or staff. To the extent possible, we recommend you share your chosen name with those you live or interact with frequently. If you would like to have your email address reflect your chosen name change, please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@sarahlawrence.edu. Due to confidentiality of health records , your name change will not be reflected in Health and Wellness records. If you would like your name change to be reflected in health records, please reach out to Health and Wellness via phone or email and they will reflect the name change in their system.
College Resources and Student Organizations:
LGBQTQIA Space: lgbtqiaspace@gm.slc.edu
SLC Drag Union: slcdragunion@gm.slc.edu
TransAction: transaction@gm.slc.edu
Queer People of Color (qpoc@gm.slc.edu)
Queer Voice Coalition (qvc@gm.slc.edu)
Planned Parenthood Gen at SLC: ppgen@gm.slc.edu
If you have ideas for programs, events or initiatives, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Office of Student DEIB via studentdeib@sarahlawrence.edu
Planned Parenthood Mobile Health Center is a resource that Planned Parenthood Gen at SLC offers a few times throughout the academic year where students can get additional access to the HPV Vaccine, STI tests, birth control, gender affirming care, and general wellness exams and more. For more information about dates you can follow on instagram at @ppgenslc
Gender Affirming Care
The Health and Wellness Center which includes both medical and psychological services is an affirming, non-judgemental, and supportive space on SLC campus in Lyles house. The Health and Wellness center offers services to all Sarah Lawrence students.
All health information will be kept confidential
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Medical services include: diagnosis and treatment for short-term physical illness and minor injuries, prescribing of common medications for acute illnesses, sexual health testing and treatment, providing prescriptions for birth control and sexual protection, emergency contraception, and physicals.
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Counseling and Psychological Services offers short-term individual psychotherapy sessions, ongoing group therapy sessions, support connecting with psychiatric medication care needs.
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The Health and Wellness Center provides referrals to off-campus medical NYC Centers of Excellence for specialized transgender care (this includes initiating hormonal therapy, surgery, and required letters for insurance.)
Additional Resources:
The Trevor Project: LGBTQ Youth Emotional Support and Suicide Prevention
All Gender restroom map
Living On Campus
The Office of Residential Life is committed to providing a living environment that is welcoming to all gender identities.
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Students may indicate in their housing application whether they have a preference for roommate(s) of a different gender. Campus housing options include a variety of gender-inclusive rooms such suites, apartments, and houses. Please contact Residential Life with any questions: reslife@sarahlawrence.edu.
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Sarah Lawrence is committed to supporting transgender students and those who identify with a gender other than cisgender. Students who seek housing arrangements based upon gender identity can contact the Office of Residential Life at 914-395-2575 or by visiting the office located at Bates 220. Requests will be considered by the Office of Residential Life on a case-by-case basis with the goal of supporting students with specific housing needs based upon their gender identity.
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Please keep in mind that a reasonable arrangement in housing may not be one's preferred housing assignment. The nature and scope of arrangements will vary based on a variety of factors including available housing as well as the needs of other students.
Related pages:
Resources on public SLC Website
Global Education Page on Information for LGBTQIA Students Looking to Study Abroad