Ireland's top university, Trinity College Dublin, has banned the term "freshman" because it is not "gender-neutral" and will now use the term "fresh" to describe new students.

In an email sent out to students and staff earlier today, Vice-Provost Chris Morash and Students' Union President Kevin Keane said the college's "Equality Committee" had approved a plan to change "the title given to first and second year undergraduates students from 'Freshman' to the gender-neutral term 'Fresh'".

The university, which also introduced "gender-neutral" toilets last year, claims the decision is a sign of the college's commitment to "gender equality" and a nod to the 100 year anniversary of women's suffrage in Ireland.