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Office of Multicultural Student Affairs

  • Two buttons that read "She ask my Pronouns" and "Ask me my pronouns".

Campus

We work to create an inclusive campus culture, and offer support and services that help LGBTQ+ students with their specific needs.

Transgender and Non-binary Student
Support and Services

Intramurals

All students can participate in intramural sports with the gender with which they identify. A participant may consult with the intramural sports office at intramurals@sc.edu with any questions about roster eligibility based on one’s gender identity

Homecoming

Activities during Homecoming are gender inclusive. All students can participate in gender-specific competitions as the gender they identify as. 

Fraternity and Sorority Life

Decisions about gender inclusivity are up to each fraternity and sorority. If you are interested in being involved, research different the organizations for their view on gender identity.

Changing Your Health Record 

We want to make sure you are identified correctly when you come in for a visit.

Changing Your Name or Pronoun on Your Medical Records

You can change your name and pronouns in the profile section of MyHealthSpace or by calling 803-777-8283.

Non-Medical University Records

As a default, we use the information provided by the University Registrar for your name and gender. Changing your name and pronoun with us will only affect your medical records. We keep separate records from the rest of the university system, so the change won't affect your other university records."

 

Student Insurance Coverage

Your student insurance will cover some services for transgender students:

  • Hormone Replacement Therapy
  • Therapy Sessions
  • Medical Appointments
  • Medications

To get full coverage for these services, see a provider who will provide records stating you are diagnosed with gender identity disorder and that your treatment is medically necessary. The student health insurance policy does not cover gender affirmation surgery of any kind. 

Gynecological Services

The Student Health Center will work with you to make sure your visit for gynecological care is as comfortable as possible. If you need to ask a question or discuss accommodations, you can email the nursing staff via the MyHealthSpace portal or call the head nurse at 803-777-3840.

University Housing is excited to announce Gender Inclusive Housing as an option to all students.

This allows for residents of differing gender identities and sexual orientations to live in a supportive and understanding environment regardless of sex assigned at birth. Gender Inclusive Housing options are available in apartment-style, suite-style, and select traditional-style residence halls.

Additionally, University Housing offers roommate matching assistance that individuals can cater to their needs.  As part of our commitment to an inclusive environment where everyone is valued and respected, you may contact Drew Branham directly via email at branhap@mailbox.sc.edu to discuss your specific needs.  Otherwise, we can help you navigate the university housing system and serve as an advocate for your needs. We strive to make USC a welcoming home for all to live and learn.

USC experiences interpersonal violence including sexual assault, harassment, stalking and intimate partner violence. Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention & Prevention (SAVIP) is trained to support victims/survivors of all sexes, genders, and sexual orientations. Find out how to connect with SAVIP at Interpersonal Violence Support

Individual Counseling

Counseling & Psychiatry has trans-aware mental health providers.

Students are allowed ten free sessions a year and additional sessions at cost.

 

T-Time

T-Time is a support group designed for students who identify as trans, gender fluid or gender nonconforming to discuss the unique experience that may not be readily understood or supported by others. This group aims to create a space where students can feel comfortable being their true selves and talk about the issues they face on a daily basis in school, sex, relationships, family, health settings and other facets of life and transition. The group will have a supportive intent and participants may learn additional coping skills related to living in a biased society.

Students may attend as many group counseling sessions as they like throughout the year at no cost.

Queer in Quarantine

When campus closed unexpectedly in March 2020, USC students were told to go home, but what happens when home is not safe? For many of our queer students, going home has meant effectively going back into the closet. Whether you’ve returned to a homophobic family/community, lost access to gender-affirming medical treatment, or are struggling to stay connected to your queer community, this group is a space where you can process these experiences with humans who understand. 

Check out the Counseling and Psychiatry Website for More Information

Update Account Settings

Beginning in Summer 2021 updated personal data may be shown in various systems, including email/Office 365, Blackboard, Self-Service Carolina, and employee self-service.

Responses to each item is optional (not required), and you may choose whether to respond to any or all of the items below. If you choose to not provide preferred information, your official data will generally be used throughout our systems and services.

Personal Data
  1. Click "Update Account Settings" and log in
  2. Click "Personal Data"
  3. Review detailed parameters of optional changes.
  4. Update "Preferred First Name" AND/OR "Preferred Last Name" AND/OR "Gender Identity" AND/OR "Personal Pronouns"
Email Alias
  1. Click "Update Account Settings" and log in
  2. Click "Email Alias"
  3. Review detailed parameters of alias creation.
  4. Create alias and click submit
  5. Click "Email Preferences"
  6. Set alias as "Preferred University Email Address"

For questions about this update process contact DoIT’s Service Desk (803-777-1800,  https://sc.edu/ithelp

Blackboard

Name change in Blackboard has been temporarily taken offline as we work on connecting Blackboard with user account settings.

Garnet Gate
  1. Log in to your account
  2. Click the green circle with the letter in it at the top right corner of the page.
  3. Click "Account"
  4. Change the first name and/or last name under profile
  5. Click "Update"
MyHealthSpace

You can change your name and pronouns reflected in your medical records in the profile section of MyHealthSpace or by calling 803-777-8283.

Changing Legal Documents and School Records

You will need to complete a legal name change in accordance with the state of South Carolina name change process. If you have had a legal name change, you can access the name change form at the University Registrar.

If you need guidance on how to pursue a legal name change, contact OMSA or check out Gender Bender's resource as a guide.

Gender is a protected identity on campus, and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion takes any bias or hate incidents very seriously. 

Contact us if you feel you have been discriminated against or have experienced bias. We will help you report it and rectify the situation in whatever way is appropriate.

Reporting an Incident »

Discrimination Policy [pdf] 

You have options when it comes to letting your professors know your name and pronoun:

  • Talk to them one-on-one
  • Send an email
  • Have us notify them

You should do what's best for you at this time in your life. We're available to help you talk through what to say or review your email if you'd like. 

We can notify your professors for you.

Fill out the notification request form. You'll need the names and email addresses for the faculty members you'd like to notify. Currently, this request is only available for students at the USC Columbia campus.

We will send an email to the addresses you give us. It will contain no identifying information and will list best practices the professor can follow in order to make your experience in class more positive.
Sample Notification Letter [pdf]

Single-stall and all-gender restrooms are available across campus including at the Russell House Student Union, Patterson Hall, Thompson Health Center and the Wellness and Fitness Center.

We are actively advocating for additional restroom access to meet the needs of all students. 

View on the USC Campus Map

Building Campus Type Keywords
(hidden column)
1200 Catawba Street, 1st floor South Campus all gender  
1710 College Street (Institutional Research), 1st Floor East Campus single stall (W)  
1710 College Street (Institutional Research), 2nd Floor East Campus all gender  
1710 College Street (Institutional Research), Basement East Campus all gender  
1714 College Street (Rule of Law Center), 1st Floor East Campus all gender  
Arnold School of Public Health, 3rd Floor Assembly St. all gender  
Bates House, 1st Floor South Campus single stall (M)  
Bates House, 1st Floor South Campus single stall (W)  
Bates West, 1st Floor South Campus single stall (M)  
Bates West, 1st Floor South Campus single stall (W)  
Blatt PE Center, 2nd Floor South Campus all gender  
Callcott Social Science Center, 1st Floor Central Campus all gender   
Callcott Social Science Center, 1st Floor Central Campus single stall (M)   
Callcott Social Science Center, 2nd Floor Central Campus all gender  
Callcott Social Science Center, 2nd Floor Central Campus single stall (M)   
Callcott Social Science Center, 2nd Floor Central Campus  single stall (W)   
Callcott Social Science Center, 3rd Floor Central Campus  all gender   
Callcott Social Science Center, 3rd Floor Central Campus  single stall (W)   
Callcott Social Science Center, Ground Floor Central Campus  all gender   
Callcott Social Science Center, Ground Floor Central Campus  single stall (M)   
Callcott Social Science Center, Ground Floor Central Campus  single stall (W)   
Capstone House, Lobby East Campus all gender  
Center for Health and Wellbeing, 1st Floor Central Campus  all gender   
Center for Health and Wellbeing, 2nd Floor Central Campus  single stall (M)   
Center for Health and Wellbeing, 2nd Floor Central Campus  single stall (W)   
Coker Life Sciences Building, 1st Floor West Campus single stall (M)   
Columbia Hall, 1st Floor  East Campus  single stall (M)   
Columbia Hall, 1st Floor East Campus single stall (W)  
CS Lewis Student Center, 1st Floor East Campus all gender   
Currell College, 1st Floor Horseshoe  single stall (M)   
Currell College, 2nd Floor Horseshoe  single stall (W)   
Davis College, 1st Floor Horseshoe all gender  
East Quadrangle, 2nd Floor South Campus  single stall (M)   
East Quadrangle, 2nd Floor South Campus single stall (W)   
Earth and Water Sciences, 7th Floor West Campus single stall (W)   
Earth and Water Sciences, 6th Floor West Campus single stall (W)   
Earth and Water Sciences, 5th Floor West Campus  single stall (M)   
Flinn Hall Horseshoe  all gender   
Former Law Center, 1st Floor West Campus  single stall (M)   
Former Law Center, 1st Floor West Campus  single stall (W)  
Green Quadrangle A, 2nd Floor South Campus  all gender   
Green Quadrangle C, 1st Floor South Campus all gender   
Honors Residence Hall, 1st Floor West Campus  single stall (M)   
Honors Residence Hall, 1st Floor West Campus  single stall (W)   
Humanities Classroom Building, 1st Floor East Campus  all gender   
Humanities Office Building, Basement East Campus all gender  
John M Palms Center for Graduate Science Research, 1st Floor West Campus single stall (M)   
Maxcy College, 1st Floor Horseshoe  all gender   
McBryde Quadrangle A, 1st Floor Central Campus all gender  
McBryde Quadrangle B, 1st Floor  Central Campus all gender  
McBryde Quadrangle C, 1st Floor  Central Campus all gender   
McBryde Quadrangle F, 1st Floor  Central Campus  all gender   
McBryde Quadrangle G, 1st Floor  Central Campus  all gender   
McClintock, 1st Floor Central Campus  all gender   
McKissick, 1st Floor Horseshoe  all gender   
Patterson Hall, 1st Floor Central Campus  all gender   
Pinckney/Legare, 1st Floor Horseshoe  all gender  
Preston Residential College, 1st Floor Horseshoe  all gender   
Roost Residence Hall, 1st Floor South Campus  all gender   
Roost Residence Hall, 1st Floor South Campus  single stall (M)   
Roost Residence Hall, 1st Floor South Campus  single stall (W)   
Russell House, Starbucks Central Campus  all gender   
Russell House, West Wing Central Campus  all gender   
Sims, 1st Floor Central Campus  all gender   
Sims, 1st Floor Central Campus  single stall (M)   
Sims, 1st Floor Central Campus   single stall (W)   
South Quadrangle, 1st Floor South Campus  single stall (M)   
South Quadrangle, 1st Floor South Campus  single stall (W)   
Spigner House, 2nd Floor East Campus  all gender   
Wellness and Fitness Center, Ground Floor Assembly St.  all gender   
Thomson Building, 1st Floor Central Campus  all gender   
Thomson Building, Ground Floor Central Campus  single stall (M)   
Thomson Building, Ground Floor Central Campus  single stall (W)   
Wade Hampton, Basement Central Campus  all gender   
Williams-Brice Building, 2nd Floor East Campus  all gender   

 

For the time being, the Closet will be open by appointment only. Please contact Bri (newtonb2@mailbox.sc.edu) to make at an appointment.

The Self-Expression Closet is not taking any more donations at this time.

The Self-Expression Closet caters to trans, non-binary, and other community members at USC seeking free, non-professional daywear. USC community members are welcome to come down and shop the closet during the posted hours.

The Closet is located in the CommUnity Shop in the Carolina Coliseum.  

The Trans Advocacy Workshop is designed to further examine issues of sexual identity and gender expression. This workshop narrowly focuses on transgender identities, issues, and experiences. All interested participants in the Trans Advocacy Workshop are required to complete the LGBT Safe Zone Workshop before registering for the session. Trans Advocacy workshops are open to all students, faculty, and staff.


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