Graduate Program

College Student Affairs

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

2017

Thesis Director

Dena R. Kniess

Abstract

Recently, a total of ten social fraternities and sororities have published statements inclusive of transgender individuals, while others have remained silent on their inclusive policies. Currently, there is no published research on the inclusion of transgender students in social fraternities and sororities, though many institutions of higher education have started taking steps toward including transgender students. This qualitative study was designed to identify the perceptions of individual social fraternity and sorority members, the perceptions of their chapters, and how their chapters recruit and welcome transgender students into their organizations. The participants belonged to five different social fraternities and sororities at the research site. Four of the five participants interviewed believed their chapter would be open to accepting a transgender member, but none of the five knew whether or not their inter/national organization had published an inclusive statement. Additionally, none of the five interviewed were aware of any educational materials provided by their inter/national organization.

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