New Way for Students to Indicate Chosen Name

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 15:55:30 -0400
diversity

Dear UMBC Community,

We are pleased to announce the implementation of a new self-service pathway for students to update their chosen name, pronouns, and gender identity in University systems. Beginning today, students can log into their myUMBC profile and update this information. This process is optional and voluntary. Students can also choose to share their identification as a member of the LGBTQ+ community for the purposes of support and outreach.

Students’ chosen names are already provided to faculty and staff through University systems, such as PeopleSoft and myUMBC. In January 2021, students’ pronoun and gender identity information provided through this process will also be made available in the same way.

The self-service process builds on prior work enabling students to indicate their chosen name in University systems, and we hope that it makes updating names and pronouns faster and easier for students. More detail on how to update your information is available on the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) website.

OEI is responsible for promoting and coordinating the University’s core values of inclusive excellence and equity. OEI has primary responsibility for managing UMBC’s efforts related to Title IX, gender identity, and LGBTQ+ identity, as well as other civil rights issues. OEI is leading our campus community through this important culture change with the support and partnership of countless allies across UMBC. If you are experiencing discrimination based on your gender identity or sexual orientation, you can report it using OEI’s online reporting form.

The diversity of UMBC’s community and our commitment to inclusive excellence are among our greatest strengths. We are committed to continuing to improve and simplify pathways for alerting the University of chosen names and pronouns. While we recognize that achieving inclusion is an ongoing process, we will continue to strive to make our campus a safe and welcoming environment for everyone, including transgender people and other members of the LGBTQ+ community.

We are also committed to providing information and other supportive resources for members of the UMBC community with particular concerns about civil rights related to gender identity. Resources are available at the following sites:

UMBC Non-Discrimination Policy Statement
USM Policy of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression
LGBTQ+ Resources at UMBC
UMBC Gender Inclusive Housing Options
Counseling Center
Pride Center
Women’s Center
UMBC LGBTQ Faculty/Staff Association
UMBC LGBTQ Student Union

Thank you to the diverse group of campus partners who worked together to implement this new process, and thank you for all you do everyday to make UMBC a safe, caring, and inclusive learning community.

UMBC Office of Equity and Inclusion