Using a Preferred Name (instead of a legal name) at SPSCC
Preferred Name & Preferred Gender Pronouns:
SPSCC is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive classroom. Sometimes attendance and roll call can be hard for students because the class roster doesn’t reflect their identity. Class rosters are provided to your instructors and Canvas with your legal name. If you identify with a name and or gender identity/pronoun that is not reflected on your school records, there are ways you can change it to adequately reflect your gender identity and pronouns.
SPSCC Student ID Cards and Canvas
You can change your name from a legal name to a preferred name on your student identification card and in Canvas by visiting Student Life, upstairs in Building 27.
You will need to bring a form of identification with you (previous school ID, driver's license, etc).
You will be asked to fill in and sign a form that authorizes us to change your display name in Canvas and on your Student ID.
Your name will NOT be changed for Financial Aid, Enrollment, or for other processes in which use of your legal name is required. It will also not change in your instructors' class rosters (the information visible only to your instructors).It will be your responsibility to let your instructors know that you have changed your name from a legal name to a preferred name (see below for ideas on how to do this and resources for support).
In Class/Instructors:
Your professor can honor your request to address you by an alternate name/gender pronoun. To go by a name other than your legal name in class, talk to your instructor directly. The best way to do this is to email your faculty before classes begin. Provide your instructor with your legal name and let them know what your preferred name and pronouns are. Let them know you will be requesting to change your name in Canvas.
If you are more of an in-person communicator, you can stop by your instructors' office hours as early in the quarter as possible to let them know.
The goal of this option for students is to enable faculty and classmates to respect your name and pronouns throughout your learning experience. This can be an intimidating process, so if you feel you need support please stop by the Diversity and Equity Center in Building 22-270. Peer Mentors, students like yourself, and the staff are here to support you. You can also email the Director of Diversity and Equity at [email protected].
SPSCC is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive classroom. Sometimes attendance and roll call can be hard for students because the class roster doesn’t reflect their identity. Class rosters are provided to your instructors and Canvas with your legal name. If you identify with a name and or gender identity/pronoun that is not reflected on your school records, there are ways you can change it to adequately reflect your gender identity and pronouns.
SPSCC Student ID Cards and Canvas
You can change your name from a legal name to a preferred name on your student identification card and in Canvas by visiting Student Life, upstairs in Building 27.
You will need to bring a form of identification with you (previous school ID, driver's license, etc).
You will be asked to fill in and sign a form that authorizes us to change your display name in Canvas and on your Student ID.
Your name will NOT be changed for Financial Aid, Enrollment, or for other processes in which use of your legal name is required. It will also not change in your instructors' class rosters (the information visible only to your instructors).It will be your responsibility to let your instructors know that you have changed your name from a legal name to a preferred name (see below for ideas on how to do this and resources for support).
In Class/Instructors:
Your professor can honor your request to address you by an alternate name/gender pronoun. To go by a name other than your legal name in class, talk to your instructor directly. The best way to do this is to email your faculty before classes begin. Provide your instructor with your legal name and let them know what your preferred name and pronouns are. Let them know you will be requesting to change your name in Canvas.
If you are more of an in-person communicator, you can stop by your instructors' office hours as early in the quarter as possible to let them know.
The goal of this option for students is to enable faculty and classmates to respect your name and pronouns throughout your learning experience. This can be an intimidating process, so if you feel you need support please stop by the Diversity and Equity Center in Building 22-270. Peer Mentors, students like yourself, and the staff are here to support you. You can also email the Director of Diversity and Equity at [email protected].