1.13—Preferred First Name

Effective: 09/01/2020
Senate Proposal: No
Responsible University Official: Registrar (Student System) Director of Human Resources (Employee System)
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 will be used across university systems, where feasible.

Policy Requirements

The individual is free to determine the preferred first name they want to be known by, regardless of whether they have legally changed their name. The University reserves the right to remove a preferred first name if it is used inappropriately, including but not limited to, avoiding a legal obligation or for the purpose of misrepresentation. The 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 many of its community members use names other than their legal names to identify themselves.

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

Contacts

Definitions

Legal Name – The name that appears on government issued identification
Preferred First Name – A name other than the legal name; may not be used to avoid legal obligation or with the intention to misrepresent

Responsibilities

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

Procedures

Preferred first name, 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. contact the registrar's office to update their preferred first name, or
4. log in to MyMichiganTech: select the "Current Students" tab -> in the Personal Information box on the right side, select "Review or Update Preferred First Name."

Employees may:

1. submit a preferred first name when they submit a photo for their Tech ID card, or
2. log in to BanWeb: select the "Personal Information" tab -> select the "Update Preferred First Name" option, or
3. contact the Human Resources office to update their preferred first name.

Adoption Date

Revisions