Transgender teen Leelah Alcorn ended her life on Dec. 28, 2014. Her suicide letter advocated for transgender rights and for a change in the way society regards gender. It was a call to action to do our part in making this world safer for current and future transgender and non-gender binary conforming lives.

Transgender advocacy is a matter of critical thinking and social justice, both foundations that Loyola University stands on. Yet, we have no transgender representation or organizations within the school.

By not providing or explicitly establishing support for its current and prospective transgender students, one could argue that Loyola does its own part to further marginalize these already vulnerable individuals.

Cura personalis — care for the whole person. This is the heart of Loyola’s creed and therefore, Loyola has a responsibility to embrace and elevate its transgender students.

The pressure is on for individuals and institutions in the United States to address their ongoing complacency in the struggle for transgender visibility. Loyola operates as a powerful institution and must begin to provide supportive services that speak to all aspects of trans student life. If Loyola wishes to claim that its mission of cura personalis applies to the entirety of its student body, then transgender students must be included.

It is important for trans students to feel like their school knows who they are and what they need, and on-campus representation can do just that. Loyola should be mindful about making sure that this university is a safe place for transgender students — in its residence halls, libraries, counselors’ offices, health and athletic facilities and on-campus programming. Loyola’s faculty and administration can show their support for transgender students by instituting policies that protect them and their right to a college education.

By providing programs, resources and student leadership opportunities, Loyola can facilitate an environment that transgender students can thrive and learn in.

Loyola must play an active role in the education and inspiration of hundreds of trans rights activists every year and honor the dying wish of a girl whose life ended too soon and too tragically because of ignorance and silence.