Princeton's HR Dept.: We Won't Use the Word 'Man' Anymore

Princeton University's human resources department has instructed its employees to stop using the word "man" and substitute such alternatives as "human being," "individual" or "person" in all speech and correspondence in order to be more gender inclusive.

The directive, first reported by The College Fix, says some ordinary phrases that should now be adapted, include:

Layman: Layperson
Best man for the job: Best person for the Job
Man and wife: Spouses, partners
Average man: Average person, ordinary Person
Mankind: humankind
Workmanlike: skillful
Manpower: personnel, staff, workers, workforce
Manmade: artificial, handmade, manufactured, synthetic
To man: To operate, to staff
Man (when referring to humanity): Human beings, humanity, humans, individuals, people
Man Hours: Person hours, work hours
Businessman: Business person
Fireman: Firefighter
Forefathers: Ancestors

"These gender inclusive style guidelines [are] to be utilized by all HR staff members in HR communications, policies, job descriptions, and job postings," a memo issued by the Ivy League school's HR department states.

John Cramer, Princeton's director of media relations, told The College Fix the new guidelines "reflect the university's initiative of fostering an inclusive environment." But, he added, "Students are not mandated to follow this policy."

Princeton has been in the forefront of controversies involving political correctness and free-speech on campus.

Last year, the student-led The Princeton Open Campus Coalition launched a pro-free speech petition, "Protect Plurality, Historical Perspective," after another student group demanded a dormitory for students who want to "celebrate black affinity" and called for the mandatory diversity training. The petition was signed by 1,500.

In addition, the coalition wrote to Princeton President Christopher Eisgruber to protest the administration's removal of some depictions of former U.S. President and Princeton President Woodrow Wilson after protests that he was a racist.

"We oppose efforts to purge (and literally paint over) recognitions of Woodrow Wilson's achievements, including Wilson College, the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, and his mural in Wilcox Dining Hall," the coaltion told Eisgruber.

"As you have noted, Wilson, like all other historical figures, has a mixed legacy. It is not for his contemptible racism, but for his contributions as president of both Princeton and the United States that we honor Wilson.

"Moreover, if we cease honoring flawed individuals, there will be no names adorning our buildings, no statues decorating our courtyards, and no biographies capable of inspiring future generations."

Wilson, the 28th U.S. president from 1913 to 1921, was a leader of the Progressive Movement but also supported racial segregation, part of public policy at the time, particularly in southern states. He led Princeton University's from 1902 to 1910.