The University of Idaho has created a way for students and staff to electronically change what name they wish to be called through university systems.
The names students prefer will be implemented in and outside of the classroom such as on BbLearn, the campus directory, VandalStar and more.
“For legal purposes, such as I-9s and W-2s, we have to use the legal name,” UI Registrar Lindsey Brown said. “However, for wherever we can, we want to use the (student’s) preferred name.”
This will be useful for individuals that wish to go by a nickname, their middle name, a shortened version of their name or a name not assigned to them at birth. Some international students may also find this useful if they wish to go by their English name.
It is an issue students have dealt with for some time.
In the past, non-binary and trans individuals would out themselves to their professors because they had to explain the difference between their legal and chosen names. The new system doesn’t force that.
“This was something the students wanted, that the faculty wanted,” Brown said. “I’m thankful that we have the technology to meet their needs.”
ITS Project Manager Jason Swanby oversaw the analysis and implementation of the new changes. Brown and Swanby had meetings with several administrative groups, the LGBTQA Office and the Office of Equity and Diversity. Swanby said that the meetings were so they could understand the impacts before they made any changes.
Julia Keleher, director of the LGBTQA Office, explained the importance of this change for students.
“To be able to go into a classroom and be able to be called what you want to be called is validating, it’s important,” Keleher said. “With the students that I work with, it’s been a very efficient and easy process.”
Name changes can be made through VandalWeb and may take up to a week to fully update.
Donald Scott Hammar can be reached at [email protected]