Preferred First Name

Monroe Community College allows students and employees to notify the College of their preferred first names even if they have not changed their official/legal names. This policy is consistent with current SUNY guidance protecting students and employees against discrimination based on gender identity and expression and is a best practice for supporting transgender and gender non-binary members of college communities.

Preferred First Name Request Form (Student) Preferred Name Policy (PDF) Preferred Name FAQ (PDF)

Policy

Monroe Community College allows students and employees to notify the College of their preferred first names even if they have not changed their official/legal names. This policy is consistent with current SUNY guidance protecting students and employees against discrimination based on gender identity and expression and is a best practice for supporting transgender and gender non-binary members of college communities.

This change will be reflected in on-campus communication systems, as long as the preferred first name is not used for purposes of misidentification, fraud, or misrepresentation and that the preferred first name meets community standards (e.g. not profane, obscene, or derived from hate-speech; and conform to technical requirements). There are limits to where preferred first names will be reflected in college communications. This service is not limited to use by transgender and gender non-binary students and employees, however, and is available to anyone who uses a preferred first name daily other than their legal/official first name.

The preferred first name is used for internal communication and certain external communications (e.g. website staff pages). Internal applications for the use of approved preferred first name include but may not be limited to:

  • School I.D (May be reissued)
  • Residence halls
  • MyMCC
  • Class Rosters
  • Outlook Email Display Name and Email Address
  • Degree Works
  • Student Profile
  • Online Directory
  • Starfish
  • Faculty Grade Entry
  • Final Grade Submission
  • Student Registration
  • Diplomas (Available upon request)

The College is obligated to use the legal first name for many official records and reports, including but not limited to:

  • Official transcripts
  • Enrollment verifications
  • Third-Party Database Systems
  • Paychecks
  • Medical Records
  • Financial Aid Documents
  • Federal Immigration Documents
  • Student Records
  • Federal and State Requests for Information
  • National Student Clearinghouse
  • Academic Certifications
  • Employment and payroll records
  • Billing records
  • Employee benefits records
  • Enrollment reporting
  • Expense reimbursements
  • Travel and purchasing authorizations
  • Law enforcement records

Requests for use of preferred first name shall be limited to one per academic year. For more information about the preferred name policy contact:

For Students
Registration and Records Office
Building 6, Room 203
(585) 292-2300

For Employees
Office of Human Resources
Building 6, Room 301
(585) 292-2048

For additional support, please contact:
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability
Building 1, Room 300 F
(585) 292-2125