Page History

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freshman students

first-year students

 

young, talented minds

talented minds

 

chairman

chair

chairperson

 

hostess

host [for any gender]

 

actress

actor [for any gender]

Regarding the use of “alumni”: This plural form (which is technically masculine) has been widely accepted for referring to a group of mixed sexes or gender. However, when referring to a group that is exclusively female use “alumnae” instead.

When using cultural references and examples, feature diversity of all kinds as much as possible.

Alumni terms

Alumni: plural gender-inclusive

Alumnae: plural feminine

Alumnus: singular masculine

Alumna: singular feminine

“Alum” or “alumnx” can be used for the non-gendered singular, preferably for informal or internal settings. For non-gendered singular cases in official university communications, adjust the sentence in question when possible to avoid using “alumnus/alumna” or “alum." If it is not possible to restructure, use “alum” or “alumnx” sparingly.

Replace “You are a Cornell alum” with “You are a Cornell graduate” or “You are a Cornellian”

Replace “We’ll choose one alumnus” with “We’ll choose one Cornellian” or “We’ll choose one of our alumni”

If someone has given a clear indication of their personal preference, use that when referring to themLastly, when using cultural references and examples, feature diversity of all kinds as much as possible.

Personal pronouns

In most cases, use “he or she” for third-person, singular personal pronouns. If this proves cumbersome, turn your antecedent noun (i.e., what the pronoun is a substitute for) into the plural form and then subsequently use “they.”

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