Indian University Creates Quota for Transgender Students

[Morning Dew]

http://blogout.justout.com/?p=20052

As U.S. colleges and universities struggle with how to accommodate transgender students, one university in Bangalore, India is taking proactive measures to ensure that they feel fully welcomed.

Bangalore University’s academic council unanimously approved Monday a proposal to add a third gender option to application forms and reserve one seat in each of the school’s 60 post-graduate courses for transgender students, according to DNA India. Bangalore University is the first in India to open admissions to transgender students and to reserve a spot for them.

“The transgender quota is not a transferable one. Even if the reserved seats are not filled, others cannot fill it. This reservation is meant only for transgenders, and it is not beyond rules and regulations,” said N. Prabhu Dev, the university’s vice-chancellor.

The university is also addressing the potential for harassment by other students by asserting a strict anti-”ragging” policy and organizing cultural sensitivity programming through the Department of Psychology and has vowed to making any necessary changes to restroom facilities to ensure that students are comfortable.

[Morning Dew]

1. and a video clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3smso1KtBY

[joeybee12]

2. Yeesh, are we the least enlightened country out there? kudos to india on this...n/t

[Morning Dew]

4. yes. We're a backward nation.

I'm not sure how I feel about a single seat quota and not sure what it means...
does it disallow other Trans students or is it that only one seat is assured in the post grad program?

I suspect the latter.

Good on BU!

[joeybee12]

5. That's unclear, but they are right on the ball with their anti-ragging policy

and awareness policy.

[xchrom]

3. ...

:applause: