RATIONALE:  Pacific College of Health and Science is committed to fostering an environment of inclusiveness and supporting students’ preferred form of self-identification.  We recognize that a person's legal name and identity may not align and therefore respect an individual's decision to be identified by their chosen (or "preferred") name and pronouns.

POLICY: The College recognizes that as a community many of its members use names other than their legal names to identify themselves.  As long as the use of this different name is not for the purposes of misrepresentation or a legal name is required by college business, policy or legal need, the College acknowledges that a "preferred name" will be used wherever possible. 

Any student, active or retired faculty or staff member, or alumni may choose to identify themselves within the College's information systems with a preferred name in addition to the person's legal name. However, inappropriate use of the preferred name policy including, but not limited to: avoiding a legal obligation; misrepresentation; or preferred names that do not comply with college policies, and if applicable, the Student Code of Conduct may be denied. The College reserves the right to not accept a preferred name if it is deemed inappropriate, including a preferred name that is vulgar, offensive, fanciful, or creates confusion with another person.

SCOPE AND APPLICABILITY:   This policy applies to all students (currently enrolled or alumni), faculty (active or retired), and staff (active or retired).

DEFINITIONS:    

Legal name: The first and last name which appears on a social security card or other government issued document (e.g., court order) on which a legal name change is recorded.
 
Preferred name: The name by which the individual wishes to be known, however, only the first and/or middle name(s) may be designated as the preferred name.

Examples:

• A different first name than the legal first name may be used (David Moore to Christy Moore)
• A shortened version of the full legal name may be used (for example, Catherine Jones to Cat Jones)
• Initials may be used (Jason C. Wang to J.C. Wang)
• Middle names may be used (Juanita Maria Sanchez to Maria Sanchez)

PROCEDURES:  The person or department providing operational support for an information system and having responsibility for data maintenance and control methods will make the Preferred Name change, if appropriate.  The following departments are responsible for routinely auditing the various systems to ensure preferred names comport with this Policy: Registrar (students), Human Resources (faculty and staff), and Career Services (alumni). 

Students may request this service on StudentHub via the “Submit Ticket” form and selecting “Name Change Request” from the drop-down menu (Faculty and Staff may request the update directly by contacting Marcy Madix, VP of Human Resources by email [email protected]).  

The student’s Preferred Name will then be updated on various College contexts, including:

• Office 365
• Zoom
• Moodle
• ID Cards (optional)

For some other records, as described below, the College is legally required to use a student’s Legal Name. However, whenever reasonably possible, a student’s “Preferred Name” will be used.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Preferred Name?

A Preferred Name is a name a student wishes to be known by in the College community that is different from a student’s Legal Name. Pacific College’s policy covers Preferred First and Middle Names. Surnames can be changed only with a legal name change.

What is a Legal Name? 

A Legal Name is the name that appears on your passport, driver’s license, birth certificate, or U.S. Social Security Card.

Do I have to use a Preferred Name?

No. Use of a Preferred Name is optional.

Where will my Preferred Name appear?

• Office 365
• Zoom

• Moodle 
• College ID Card (optional)

Where will my Legal and Preferred Name be used?

Your Legal Name will be used in business and other processes that require use of a Legal Name. These include:

Are there any Preferred Name restrictions?

Preferred Names may not be used for purposes of fraud or misrepresentation. The College reserves the right to remove a Preferred Name if it contains inappropriate or offensive language or leads to confusion with another person.

Does a Preferred First Name affect my Legal Name?

No. An approved Preferred Name does not change your Legal Name.

How do I request a Preferred Name?

Go to StudentHub and submit the Preferred Name Change.  Students may designate a First and/or Middle Preferred Name. All requests are reviewed by the College Registrar’s Office.  Once approved, it may take 7 or more business days for the request to be completed through all College information systems.

How do I update/delete my Preferred Name?

Go to StudentHub to delete or update the Preferred Name.    It may take 7 or more business days for the request to be completed through all College information systems.

Who will have access to my Legal Name?

College administrators, Faculty, and your supervisor (if you are employed in a campus job) will have access to your Legal and Preferred Names.

If I used a Preferred Name in my application for admission to Pacific, do I need to request a Preferred Name? 

Yes, incoming students should login to StudentHub  to request a Preferred Name.

Do I have to get a new College ID Card if I choose to have a Preferred Name?

No. Use of a Preferred Name Identification Card is only an option for students – in no way is it a requirement. 

How do I get my Preferred Name on my Pacific College ID Card?

In order to receive a College ID Card with your Preferred Name, follow these steps:

• Submit your Name Change request in StudentHub.
• Select “Yes” when asked if you would like an updated Student ID.  It will take approximately 10 business days to process your request. Before you arrive to pick up your new ID Card with your Preferred Name, call or email the Front Desk Reception on your campus to confirm that your Preferred Name ID Card has arrived 

May I have a new photograph taken for my new ID Card?

Yes, please select “Yes” when asked about updating your photo and attach a new photo of yourself with your Name Change request.
  
Is the Pacific College ID Card a form of identification accepted off campus?

It is advisable to carry a government-issued form of ID such as a driver’s license or passport with you in order to access resources that are not on the Pacific College campus.

I need to change my legal name; how will this affect my preferred name? 

If you submit a preferred name in StudentHub and then wish to submit a subsequent legal name change, you must submit a new name change to the Registrar in order for the new legal name to appear. Please contact your campus Registrar with any questions.

For More Information

If you have more questions about requesting a Preferred Name, please contact your Student Advisor.