Mari – Transforming a Binary Infrastructure

Mari is an assistant vice president for information services responsible for the oversight of Banner, the institution-wide student records system. Banner collects comprehensive data from students at the time of admission and feeds numerous online tools throughout the university, including learning management systems, student health records and academic records.

Mari is made aware of recent actions by a group of student activists who are demanding change to the gender construct in Banner, which feeds numerous student records. Currently, the banner system requires that students report their gender identity in a binary, either male or female, and does not allow students who identify as non-binary or queer to share accurate gender identify information. Further, the system does not allow for changes to gender designation after matriculation. The students ask for more options in the gender designation and to have access to change their gender identity at any time during their enrollment.

Mari does not immediately understand the students concerns, or what it means to have an identity outside the gender binary. She takes time to research and listen to the concerns of the student activists and other students who are inhibited by the current Banner structure.

Mari ultimately concludes that the current system is insufficient and limiting students’ ability to access resources and have an equitable and affirming college experience. Changes to the Banner system will be costly. Mari convenes a group of stakeholders to explore short-term and long-term solutions to reconfiguring the system.