SUBJECT:

Student Data Collection on Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

We are pleased to announce that students now have the option to voluntarily self-identify and update their sexual orientation, sex assigned at birth, and gender identity through the MyTritonLink portal.

Beginning fall 2015, the University of California system began providing the option for UC applicants to voluntarily provide data regarding sexual orientation and gender identity through self-identification. This action was a result of the 2014 recommendations from the UC Task Force and Implementation Team on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Climate & Inclusion.

The data will be used in aggregate to help guide decisions and program development as part of the university’s ongoing commitment to ensure that UC San Diego is welcoming and inclusive for every member of our community.

Consistent with other demographic data, answering gender identity, sexual orientation, sex assigned at birth, ethnicity, and racial background questions is voluntary and optional. This demographic data is protected by privacy laws such as FERPA and UC policy on confidentiality of student records, and will not be released as directory information. Access to this data is available to authorized campus officials only. For more information on privacy of student records, use the following link: http://blink.ucsd.edu/instructors/advising/confidentiality.html

Answers to frequently asked questions and more information is available on the following link: http://lgbt.ucsd.edu/education/FAQs.html

Pradeep K. Khosla Chancellor Peter F. Cowhey Interim Executive Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs Juan C. González Vice Chancellor - Student Affairs Becky Petitt Vice Chancellor - Equity, Diversity and Inclusion