The change in terminology from "freshmen" to "first-year students" will go into effect on August 21. Because TCU's first-year students are neither all fresh, nor all men, the phrase freshmen is obviously sexist, and likely racist too.

Back when I was a freshwomxn, it never occurred to me that the presence of the word men was in reference to males, but naively assumed it meant mankind more generally. Or shall I say, mxnkind? How embarrassing that I misgendered myself the entirety of freshman year. I mean, first-year of college.

TCU Vice-chancellor for Student Affairs, Kathy Cavins-Tull, said of the change,

"I am proud that TCU is officially making the commitment to this terminology. It is a reflection of our university-wide commitment to inclusive excellence."

Regardless of what you call it, freshman year or first-year, the term is largely obsolete since a student's class is based on credit hours and not on actual years. But TCU is eager to virtue signal their commitment to inclusivity, so if that means changing an obsolete term, nothing is holding them back.