No More Freshmen at UNC Charlotte?

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by Kirk Hawkins, Photojournalist Terrance Walker

Story Created: Nov 2, 2012 at 11:29 PM EDT

Story Updated: Nov 2, 2012 at 11:54 PM EDT

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--No More freshmen at UNC Charlotte? A battle is brewing to get the word "freshmen" out of the school's vocabulary. Supporters say its sexist and outdated.

Amy Brown is enjoying her freshman year at UNC Charlotte. "I love it. It's so much fun," said the Emerald Isle native. But, a new move could change what refers to her first year on campus.
"I don't think they should change it," Brown said.

But one member of the staff here disagrees. Kelly Finley, a lecturer in Gender and Women's Studies said the term should be more gender neutral, "It makes sense grammatically and as
an institution of higher learning, we should reflect the evolution of language so it reflects the reality that more women than men are enrolled at the university." she said.

UNC Chapel Hill recently removed references to freshmen from official documents.  We talked to officials here at UNC Charlotte and they say they don't plan to do the same thing. Sophomore Mia Fowler is from Raleigh, "I think everyone should be treated equal," she said.

Students shared their reaction to the possibility of the term change. "It's just a term and doesn't define me, it's based on your hours anyway," said Statesville resident Patricia Mattox. "I feel it's just not that big of a deal, you know?" said Asheville, North Carolina resident J.D. Conwell

The U.N.C. Charlotte Admissions Office said they haven't taken an official stance. They say one reason for the switch could be that more and more students are not true freshmen because of the number of credits they've completed before even  starting college.

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