Freshman' tossed out over 'gender equality' at Irish school. The new term is quite the innovation.

The term "freshman" will be phased out at Trinity College Dublin as a "concrete expression of the university's commitment to gender equality," the Independent reported, citing an email to students and staff.

What's the new term?

• Just "fresh."

What else did the email say?

• Vice Provost Chris Morash and Student Union President Kevin Keane called it a "small but important change" in an email to students and staff, the Independent said.
• The change will take place over the next three years and affect first- and second-year students — currently called junior and senior freshmen.

What did Keane add to the Independent?

• "We want Trinity to be as inclusive as possible," Keane told the paper, adding that the word change is "very sensible."
• He added that Trinity College "can be an intimidating place for new students, so anything that can be done to reduce that is important and welcome."

Where else has this occurred?

• Yale University in September announced that it will stop using “freshman” and “upperclassman” in official documents, Inside Higher Ed reported, and replace the terms with “first-year” and “upper-level” students.
• The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill also nixed the term “freshman” in 2009, the outlet said.