The referendum, which is nonbinding, asks whether admission should be open to all nonbinary and transgender applicants, including trans men…The referendum would also make the college’s communications more gender inclusive — for example, using the word “students” or “alumni” instead of “women.”

Opponents, including the president, Paula Johnson, say the referendum is a rewriting of the mission of Wellesley, which they say was founded to educate women.In a message to the campus last week, Dr. Johnson held firm on her stance.She described Wellesley as “a women’s college that admits cis, trans and nonbinary students — all who consistently identify as women.”

And an open letter signed by hundreds of faculty, staff and alumni said the college was abandoning the radicalism of its creation “by focusing on the letter, rather than the spirit, of its founding.”

Alexandra Brooks, the student body president, said the referendum, which will be voted on anonymously, was a way to demonstrate just how many students support such a change — and how it reflects the reality on campus now.A new policy, she said, “would not in any way change the culture of the school.”“It’s still, and always will be, a school to educate people who are of marginalized genders,” she said.

With emotions high and division deep, Dr. Johnson thinks the debate so far has been unhealthy. There is enormous social pressure for students to support the referendum, she said, adding that she has received messages from students, faculty and staff saying that they could not voice their opposition for fear of being ostracized.“I’ve been personally booed at public gatherings where I’ve referred to Wellesley as a women’s college, which it is,” Dr. Johnson said.