Jayce M. is a sophomore at George Fox University in Newberg, OR. Jayce is transgender. Last December Jayce requested that he be allowed to move into the male dorms for the next academic year, where he would share a room with some of his male friends. Associate Dean of Students Dave Johnstone responded on January 11 saying that no decision had been made on his request at that point.
Although the Advocate has published Jayce’s last name, I shall refrain since all local reportage has done likewise to protect his privacy.
On February 24 Dean of Community Life Mark Pothoff informed Jayce that the school had decided to “conditionally approve” his request to live with male roommates…the condition being that Jayce and his roommates live off campus on a one year exception. The alternative offered by Pothoff was that Jayce live on campus in a single room. Living thus isolated is not in Jayce’s best interests.
When someone is already feeling isolated, isolating that person further is not a good idea.
At one point, the school demanded that in order to even live off-campus with his male friends, all parents of his friends would have to be notified and he would have to have his gender changed on his driver’s license, social security account, and birth certificate. Since Jayce was born in Tennessee, which refuses to change sex on birth certificates, the last condition was impossible…while notification of his roommates’ parents is a violation of Jayce’s privacy.
On March 27 Jayce submitted an appeal asking that he be allowed to live on campus with his roommates. This past Thursday University President Robin Baker denied his appeal.
The university’s decision makes me feel rejected, misunderstood and punished for something I cannot change. It also makes me anxious and nervous about where I'll be able to live next year, and the year after that.
I feel like I deserve to be treated better, so I am asserting my rights under Title IX. I am a man. I deserve to be treated like any other man on campus.
—Jayce
Jayce and his mother have hired an attorney, Paul Southwick, who has filed a complaint of sexual discrimination against the university with the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, claiming a violation of Title IX. Southwick is a George Fox alumnus.
It didn't seem right or appropriate to be living with females any longer, so he requested to live with males the following year.
—Southwick
Although some religious institutions are exempt from Title IX coverage with regard to admissions, all institutions must treat their students without discrimination on the basis of sex with respect to non-admissions decisions, including student housing.
—Southwick
About the option of living on-campus by himself?
Given some of his mental health concerns as well as his desire to have an active and vibrant social life, that wasn't going to really be an option for him. A safe option for him.
—Southwick
Jayce suffers some problems with depression.
The university violated Jayce's rights under Title IX because they denied him on-campus housing on the basis of his sex, gender identity and transgender status. The U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, and the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division recently determined that 'all students, including transgender students and students who do not conform to sex stereotypes, are protected from sex-based discrimination under Title IX and Title IV.’
—Southwick
Jayce’s mother, Janice, has posted a petition with Change.org entitled
George Fox University: Stop denying my transgender son appropriate on-campus housing. At the point of my writing the petition had 2099 signatures.
As Jayce’s mother, I am deeply concerned by George Fox University’s decision. The university has also indicated that it is considering a policy for students, which will require that all housing be based on “biological birth sex.” In this case, there would be no housing accommodations, at all, that would be allowed for transgender students like my son, to live with their male friends.
I want Jayce to be safe and to feel included in the campus community as he continues his education at George Fox and I want Jayce to be allowed to live in on-campus housing with his male friends. Jayce transitioned socially several years ago and has been under the care of a medical doctor, and on testosterone, for over a year to assist with his transition. He also recently applied for a legal gender change, which will be granted later this month, and I’m helping him change his gender marker on his driver’s license and with the Social Security Administration.
The petition includes this:
The university’s motto is “Be known.” Jayce let you know who he is but you will not let him be himself on campus, at least not in his home, where he sleeps, socializes and takes refuge.
The school’s response?
George Fox strives to be a Christ-centered community and our residential facilities are single sex because of our theological commitment. The university has researched the student’s attorney’s legal claims and believes they are without merit, especially given the religious nature of the university. The university has made many efforts to provide support and accommodation for the student and remains committed to his academic, physical and spiritual welfare.
I totally recognize that this puts the university in a tough place because we are dealing with a lot and we're really dealing with a really, really, strong personal feeling on all sides of this.
I really think it's important to have an open and loving dialogue about this. That's one thing I care deeply about and that we all respect each other.
—Connor Magee, George Fox student who supports his friend Jayce
I'm also not the only trans student on campus. I love the people at George Fox University. The students and faculty have been very supportive of me. I'd like to be able to live on campus with my friends next year.
—Jayce
It’s just ridiculous. It’s completely discriminatory. I do not agree with it at all. I think that he should be treated like any other male because he is male.
—female George Fox student
Founded by Quakers in 1885, originally named
Friends Pacific Academy, the school stopped being Friends decades ago, despite its name (George Fox founded the Society of Friends) apparently thinking “Frienemies” more suited their style. Among its early students was one Hoobert Heever….er Herbert Hoover…whose uncle was the school’s first president. The school is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.
No statement of faith or religious preference are required to attend, although the student body is overwhelmingly Christian. Faculty members and staff are required to sign a statement professing faith in traditionally Christian doctrines.