Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:
As part of our ongoing efforts to foster a welcoming and inclusive campus community, I am pleased to share an update on the practical implementation of our Chosen Name Initiative, which allows students to more easily update their chosen name information, as well as indicate their pronouns and gender identity, through an e-Form within the Registrar’s Office.
The Initiative recognizes that in the course of their daily life at Monmouth, some individuals use first names other than their legal names, may want to indicate their pronouns proactively, and/or may have a gender identity/expression that differs from the markers on their legal identification.
This update will facilitate recognition of chosen names, personal pronouns, and gender markers for on-campus records across multiple university communications systems including class rosters, eCampus resources, housing rosters, and most other non-federal systems. Legal names will continue to be utilized where required, including for purposes of financial aid and student payroll.
Faculty and staff can continue to designate their chosen name by contacting Human Resources. As with campus systems that serve our students, there may still be data platforms where the use of the legal name and/or gender markers are required by University business or legal needs.
Additional information about the Chosen Name Initiative and other LGBTQIA+ campus resources are available online. Please join me in thanking Information Management, the Office of Equity and Diversity, Academic Affairs, and the Intercultural Center for their leadership in helping to implement these recent changes at our University.
Sincerely,
Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President