Policies

Campus Policy For Preferred First Name

Policy Purpose

In accordance with the State University of New York Board of Trustees September 10, 2015 resolution "To make SUNY the most inclusive higher education system in the country" and to align with current Title IX legislation supporting Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity, Farmingdale State College has established a Campus Policy for Preferred First Name Use.

Farmingdale State College (FSC) recognizes that many students, faculty and staff prefer to use names other than their legal ones to identify themselves. As long as the use of this preferred name is not for the purpose of misrepresentation, the College acknowledges that a "preferred first name" can and should be used where possible in the course of college business and education.

Persons Affected

Faculty, Staff, Students, Third-Parties

Policy Statement

POLICY

1. The legal name is the name that appears on government issued identification. The legal name will continue to be used in college related systems, business processes, and documents such as reporting, financial aid, transcripts, tax documents, diplomas and certificates, payroll, and other records where use of legal first name is required by law or College Policy.
2. This policy does not form a contract of any kind and may be modified, changed, altered or rescinded at the discretion of Farmingdale State College. Inappropriate use of the preferred name, including but not limited to misrepresentation or attempting to avoid a legal obligation, may be cause for denying the request.
3. FSC will attempt to display preferred first name to the college community where feasible and appropriate, and make a good faith effort to update reports, documents and systems accordingly. Specifically, the college will display a preferred first name in the following areas:
   
   • FSC ID Cards – BOTH Legal and Preferred First Name
   • Email address
   • Email display
   • Brightspace
   • Class rosters
   • Grade rosters
   • Advising screens – Degree Audit and other advising systems
   • Directory listings (telephone, online, hardcopy)
   • Email list server interface
   • Campus registration and password expiration reset
4. Campus staff with an administrative need (e.g., police, health services, financial services; deans' office staff) will see both legal first name and preferred first name. Similar to GPAs and other sensitive information, the administrative staff are trained on the implications of this access.

Procedures

1. Preferred First Name Request (optional)
2. Request for Use of a Preferred First Name
   Complete the Request for Use of Preferred First Name form. Student requests are processed through the Office of the Registrar, located in Laffin Hall; and faculty/ staff requests are processed through the Office of Human Resources, located in Whitman Hall. The request form along with a photo ID is required at the time of processing.
3. New FSC- ID Card
   Once your preferred first name request has been processed in the student/employee information system (usually within 48 hours) new FSC ID cards can be generated. The lost/replacement card fee applies to this service.
4. Preferred Name Change
   Preferred name can be changed no more than once an academic year and twice during your tenure at Farmingdale State College.
5. Appeals process for Denied Preferred First Name Requests
   All appeals for denial of preferred first name requests should be presented to the Title IX Coordinator.
   
   Important links

• • Preferred First Name Guidelines
  • Request for Use of Preferred First Name Form (PD

Related Documents

• Preferred First Name Guidelines
• Request for Use of Preferred First Name Form (PD

Policy History

Effective Date: April 18, 2018