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Chosen Name Form
The Chosen Name Policy at Allegheny College supports students seeking to change their first name without pursuing a legal name change. Students who list a preferred or familiar name on their admissions application automatically have their preferred names entered into the college system.
We also believe that empowering students with the option to change their name contributes to a safe and non-discriminatory college experience. Reasons for name changes may include transgender or gender non-conforming identities and international students who wish to adopt an English language name. Please note that some records may require the use of legal names only, such as federal and medical documentation.
Legal Names
In order to change the name on your official college records such as transcripts and employment records, you must legally change your name. A legal name change is recognized by submitting a court order, driver’s license, social security card, and/or passport. If you are a graduate, you can also request an updated transcript with your current legal name. Although your name will be changed on your transcript, your prior name will continue to be listed as a previous identity in the college’s database in order to ensure that any searches of your former name will access the correct files.
Initiating a Chosen Name Change
Any student wishing to initiate a first name change should contact the Ideas Center, Campus Center 308 or via e-mail at deanofstudents@allegheny.edu.
If the student wishes to alter their first name by which they are known by for directory purposes as their institutionally recognized name, the Dean of Students office will request a chosen name change on the student’s behalf. Students who make this request will receive a new email address that utilizes their chosen name’s first initial. If changing from a pre-existing Allegheny email address, all files and correspondence from your previous address is transferred to your new one, and your previous address be- comes an alias to your new one. This means that all correspondence sent to your previous email address will be automatically forwarded to your new one.
In addition to a change in first name, your chosen first name will show up on the internal Google directory, Sakai class rosters, in addition to places where an office indicates a name other than your legal name. Faculty and staff will be able to see the student’s full legal name and the preferred name to ensure consistency of application in rosters, grading and other business of the College.
Classroom and Letters of Recommendation
Members of the faculty and staff are encouraged to ask students which names and pronouns they would like to use in the classroom and in letters of recommendation. The IDEAS Center, Office of the Dean of Students and Registrar serves as a resource for education, support, questions or concerns for all students, faculty and staff.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Students who desire to prevent any identifiable information from being released for any reason must contact the Office of the Dean of Students. This means that your name, address, phone numbers, campus e-mail, ID photograph, date and place of birth, major, enrollment status, dates of attendance, degrees awarded, honors received, previous schools attended, and participation in activities will not be released except as required by law.
Disclaimer
Allegheny College will display chosen first names to the college community where feasible and appropriate, and it will make a good faith effort to update the reports, documents and systems designated to use preferred names. Inappropriate use of the chosen name policy, including but not limited to avoiding legal obligation or misrepresentation, may be cause for denying use of chosen names. Allegheny College reserves the right to remove any chosen name that is deemed inappropriate.
This policy is approved by the Vice President for Student Affairs, Campus Life & Community Standards Committee and Administrate Executive Council in March 2016.
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