The Office of Institutional Culture and Belonging provides a variety of support to students navigating issues and challenges in the classroom and across campus. If you would like assistance speaking with a professor or a staff member about anything, including but not limited to sharing your name and pronouns with them, we are happy to provide guidance on how to navigate these discussions.

If you would like the Office of Institutional Culture and Belonging to notify your professor or a staff member of your name and/or pronouns we can reach out to them on your behalf via email. Whenever we are asked to speak to faculty/staff on your behalf we are careful to understand your specific needs and will only communicate information that you ask us to share. In order to facilitate this notification, we will need the following information:

• Course name AND course number

• List of professors/instructors to be contacted

• Assigned birth (legal) name and pronouns

• Lived name and pronouns (sometimes called preferred name/pronouns)

• Your choice of whether of not to be copied on the emails to your professors/instructors

Please email your request and the above information to the Office of Institutional Culture and Belonging at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We will work with you to address the issue.

If you feel that you may have experienced a Title IX violation as a result of gender-based violence and/or discrimination you may want to visit our Harassment and Discrimination Prevention page to see a list of additional resources.

Available Trainings and Workshops

The Office of Institutional Culture and Belonging facilitates presentations and workshops featuring topics related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. These trainings are held periodically throughout the year but also are available upon request to faculty, staff, residence halls, academic courses and student organizations.
Programs may be tailored to meet the unique needs or interests of your requesting group, department, or organization. Please submit your request at least four weeks prior to the presentation date. Requests can be made at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Currently, we offer the following training and workshops:

LGBTQ+ Safe Zone Training
This 90-minute workshop provides students, staff, and faculty with the skills to create inclusive learning and work environments for people of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations. We cover topics such as campus climate, campus resources, heteronormativity, the spectrum of sex, gender, and sexual orientation and relationships, as well as how these identities intersect with other facets of identity such as race, religion, and nationality.

Those who complete the training will be provided with a Safe Zone Trained Sticker that may be used on an office door, binder, etc.

Inclusive Language Lecture
The Inclusive language lecture is designed to inform others of the use of inclusive language and provide an up-to-date glossary of inclusive language—language free from words, phrases or assumptions that reflect prejudiced, stereotyped, outdated, or biased views of individuals from various identities and backgrounds.

Request a Customized Training
The Office of Institutional Culture and Belonging will create a customized training to address the unique situation of your group, department, or organization. Please reach out to us to discuss this opportunity in more detail.
Please submit your request at least four weeks prior to the presentation date. Request can be made at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

In fostering a safer and more inclusive environment, USC Aiken has 27 all-gender restrooms that can be used by anyone regardless of their gender identity/expression. These restrooms are single stall/toilet facilities and are indicated by a sign that reads, “All-Gender Restroom”. The restrooms are all accessible.

Below is a campus map of USC Aiken listing the location of all 27 all-gender restrooms.

Click to view map of all-gender restrooms