We are sharing a new "Sex and Gender Policies and Gender-Affirming Care FAQ" as a resource for community members who have questions about Brown policies related to gender expression, gender identity, and resources and support. The FAQ answers common questions regarding Brown's ongoing commitment to promoting an environment free from discrimination and harassment as set forth in the University's long-established policy of nondiscrimination, which includes sex, gender identity and gender expression. The FAQ also addresses common questions about how Brown serves the health needs of all Brown students.

This FAQ was developed in response to questions being shared by members of our community with various support offices across the University following the July 30 announcement of Brown's agreement with the federal government. The voluntary resolution agreement includes provisions related to "male" and "female" designations for athletics (building on NCAA requirements); on-campus housing (consistent with Brown’s current policies); and gender-affirming care for minors. The FAQ helps explain these provisions. It is important to ensure that our community has factual information on what Brown's commitment to comply with the agreement means for our nondiscrimination policies and our practices related to sex, gender and gender-affirming care.

The FAQ is posted on the Office of Equity Compliance and Reporting website as an ongoing resource but was developed in collaboration with many support offices across Brown. Offices across the Division of Campus Life, as well as the Warren Alpert Medical School, School of Public Health, the College, Graduate School, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, University Human Resources and many other offices across campus continue to be partners in supporting the needs of our community. The FAQ may be updated to be responsive to additional common inquiries.

While the new FAQ responds specifically to recurring questions about gender policies and gender-affirming care, there have been questions from the community about other provisions of the federal agreement. Members of Brown’s senior administration are collaborating with departments in the relevant areas pertaining to the federal agreement to address how specific provisions apply to current policies and processes and how any changes will be implemented.