Measures for more gender equality
Gender-sensitive language
With immediate effect, neutral forms of address and wording as well as the gender star will be used in university correspondence, documents, forms, contracts and on all university platforms. The gender-sensitive adaptation of texts on the website has already begun. A handout offers all editors, teaching staff and employees support in formulating texts in a gender-sensitive manner to avoid discriminatory language and spelling. The forms are also being updated step by step.
Addition of the options ‘’diverse‘’ and ‘’no specification‘’
The options “diverse” and “no specification” are added, included and recognised in all forms, certificates, statistics, databases, contracts and correspondence of the UdK Berlin when specifying gender or form of address. The use of neutral salutations and formulations as well as the gender star in all university correspondence, documents and on all university platforms becomes standard practice.
Recognition of the chosen or preferred first name
The personal documents do not always correspond to one's own gender identity. As long as the change of name and/or civil status has not yet been achieved, it is possible for all trans*, inter* and non-binary people to have their chosen first name and other self-chosen personal data recognised with a dgti supplementary identity card. Such a dgti supplementary identity card can also be applied for if the burdensome process of a change of civil status is not sought at all.
The recognition applies to all application, recruitment and admission procedures. It applies to the course and completion of studies at the UdK Berlin (e.g. student ID cards, certificates as well as the email account and other online communication). With the supplementary ID card, the entry in the student or personal register can also be changed retrospectively; those concerned can present their supplementary ID card to the IPA or HR department and the change will then be made. The departments are now gradually working on changing the processes.
In combination with an official identity card, the dgti supplementary ID card is an document recognised by the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI). It contains all self-chosen personal data as well as a valid passport photo. Its trilingualism in German, French and English allows it to be used when travelling abroad. The application for the supplementary identity card can be made here and is very straightforward: https://dgti.org/ergaenzungsausweis.html (Website in German)
Gender-neutral toilets
In addition to toilets for women and men, up to 50% gender-neutral toilets have been introduced at all locations of the UdK Berlin. Depending on the different local conditions, a distribution concept has been developed together with the Department of Facility Management. This means that from November 2020, some of the toilets in all locations will be rededicated as “all gender toilets”, initially without any structural adjustments. There will still be toilets for women and men as well as staff toilets. At the same time, the barrier-free toilets will be modernised on a building-by-building basis and redesigned in accordance with the applicable requirements.