MSU Warns Against Using Terms ‘Female,’ ‘America,’ ‘Christmas Trees’ In New ‘Inclusive’ Style Guide

A new “inclusive” style guide for communication department staffers at Michigan State University (MSU) includes a list of terms to avoid, such as “female,” “America,” and terms relating to Christian holidays, such as “Christmas trees,” “bells,” and “bunnies.” The guide is divided into four categories: “Gender and Sexuality,” “Race and Ethnicity,” “Global Identity,” and “Disability.” However, MSU has stated that the guide “is not comprehensive in scope.”

MSU advocates for using terms that support radical gender theories such as avoiding the term “female” because it “reduces women to their assumed biological anatomy.” However, MSU made no mention of avoiding the term “male.” MSU also cautions against using nicknames, as it can be seen as offensive because it “implies that a person’s name is a substitute for their legal name.”

The “inclusive” style guide warns communications staff against using “majority religious imagery and language,” with the previous version discouraging words such as “merry,” “Christmas trees,” and “reindeer.” Instead, MSU encourages use of the phrases “wishing you a wonderful winter/spring break” or “best wishes for the new year.” However, the warning against using the word “America” when referring to the United States and terms related to Christian holidays has since been removed.

Under the “Disability” label, MSU warns against using “ableist language,” including words such as “crazy,” “insane,” and “nuts.” MSU also notes that the terms “obese,” “obesity,” and “overweight” are problematic and prefers staff to use “higher weight” or “larger-bodied.”

MSU Deputy Spokesperson Dan Olsen has stated that the guide is not intended to ban specific terms, but to provide guidance to ensure that “our intent matches the guidance provided in the document.”