1.13—Preferred First Name and Personal Pronouns

Effective: 06/11/2015
Last Updated: 05/02/2023
Senate Proposal: No
Responsible University Official: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for Administration
Responsible Office: Registrar's Office and Human Resources

Policy Statement

Michigan Technological University recognizes that any faculty, staff, or student may choose to identify themselves within the university community with a preferred first name that differs from their legal first name. Preferred name and personal pronouns will be used across university systems, where feasible.

Policy Requirements

Students and employees are free to denote a preferred first name and/or pronouns regardless of whether they have legally changed their name or gender. Students and employees need not denote any preferred first names or pronouns.

The University reserves the right to remove a preferred first name and/or pronouns if they are used inappropriately, including but not limited to, avoiding a legal obligation or for the purpose of misrepresentation.

Individual's legal name will continue to be used in university related systems, business processes, and documents such as reporting, financial aid, transcripts, payroll and tax documents, and other records where use of legal first name is required by law or University Policy.

Reason for Policy

The University recognizes that members of its community use names and/or pronouns other than their legal names and previously used pronouns to identify themselves and that students learn best and employees work best in environments in which they feel comfortable.

Related Policy Information

This policy supports the University's Strategic Plan

Goal 1: An exceptional and diverse community of students, faculty, and staff.

1.2 Diverse, inclusive, and collegial environment

• promote inclusiveness and collegiality through openness, engagement, mutual respect, and understanding of diverse perspectives
• provide a rich cultural environment and a welcoming campus

Exclusions

This policy applies to University systems. Michigan Tech respects the free speech right of its employees and students and does not compel speech, including the use of preferred first name and personal pronouns.

Contacts

Definitions

Legal Name – The name that appears on government issued identification (i.e., passport, driver's license, Social Security card)
Preferred First Name – A name other than the legal first name; may not be used to avoid legal obligation or with the intention to misrepresent
Personal Pronouns - Pronouns selected by an individual to utilize within University systems to recognize their identity.

Responsibilities

Registrar's Office – Maintains preferred first name and personal pronouns for students
Human Resources Office – Maintains preferred first name and personal pronouns for employees

Procedures

Preferred first name and personal pronouns, when provided, will be maintained by the respective University offices (Registrar and Human Resources)

Students may:

1. provide a preferred first name through the online application for admission, or
2. submit a preferred first name when they submit a photo for the Tech ID card, or
3. update their preferred first name in BANWEB, or
4. contact the registrar's office to update their preferred first name

After acceptance to the University, students may also:

1. update their personal pronouns in BANWEB, or
2. contact the Registrar's Office to update their personal pronouns.

Employees may:

1. submit a preferred first name when they submit a photo for their Tech ID card, or
2. update their preferred first name and personal pronouns in BANWEB, or
3. contact the Human Resources office to update their preferred first name and personal pronouns.

Adoption Date

Revisions