Australian university students are being urged to avoid words such as 'husband' and 'wife' to encourage 'inclusivity' on campus.
Gender neutral words like 'partner' are preferred in classes at Western Sydney University, to 'make everyone feel included'.
The Inclusive Practice guide says: 'Swapping gendered words for gender neutral ones (and using terms like ''partner'' instead of boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife), can make everyone feel included in the conversation.'
Gender neutral words like 'partner' are preferred to husband and wife in classes at Western Sydney University (pictured), to 'make everyone feel included'
The word choice recognises that not every student identifies as heterosexual or as a man or a woman, the guide explains.
The University of New South Wales, meanwhile, has advised staff to refrain from assuming 'Western name forms'.
'Family' and 'given' name should be referred to instead of 'last' and 'Christian' name, the Designing Inclusive Environments section of their website reads.
'If in doubt, ask what students find appropriate in terms of modes of address.'
A 'diversity toolkit' on the UNSW website, urges teaching staff to implement experiential activities 'to help students (especially ''dominant culture'' students) to understand that they too are ''raced'' and have cultural norms.'
'At UNSW we aim to help students find respectful and culturally inclusive ways of dealing with controversial issues,' the page says.
The University of Newcastle refers to 'derogatory labelling' and 'forms of sexist language' in its Inclusive Language Guide.
Terms which discredit minority groups, like the use of 'whingeing poms', should be avoided to ensure language on campus is inclusive.
