Table of Contents

I. Introduction
II. Definitions
III. Changing your Name and Providing Pronouns and Gender Identity
IV. Use of Name, Pronouns, and Gender Identity
V. Additional Matters

I.  Introduction

Wheaton believes embracing diversity leads to personal growth, intellectual enrichment, freedom and social justice. Being a part of Wheaton means appreciating and celebrating our differences. It also means maintaining an environment free from discriminatory conduct, including conduct that impedes the academic freedom, security, or well-being of any member of the Wheaton community.  Wheaton’s Student Name,  Pronoun, and Gender Identity Policy (the “Policy”) provides information about how the College captures and uses students’ names, pronouns, and gender identities.

II.  Definitions
    1. Legal Name.  A student’s name, usually the name given at birth and recorded on the birth certificate or that has been declared the student’s name by a court.
    2. Chosen Name.  A first name used instead of a student’s (first) Legal Name which is provided in order to reflect a student’s gender identity (i.e., Skylar may be the Chosen Name to reflect the gender identity of a student whose (first) Legal Name is William) or because the student is commonly known by the first name (i.e., Bill may be the Chosen Name of a student whose (first) Legal Name is William).
    3. Pronouns.  Personal pronouns that express a distinction of person, reflecting a student’s Gender Identity.
    4. Gender Identity.  A student’s internal sense and understanding of their own gender, which may or may not align with their sex assigned at birth. This internal sense of gender exists whether or not it is communicated externally through presentation, dress, or experience.[1]
III.  Changing your Name and Providing Pronouns and Gender Identity
    1. Legal Name.  Students who have legally changed their names (first and/or last)  may change their name of record with the College by submitting appropriate documentation. Please contact the office of the Registrar for more information about how to submit documentation. See Section IV below for where legal names will appear.[2]
    2. Chosen Name.  Students may change their chosen names at any time via InsideWheaton.[3]  See Section IV below for where chosen names will appear.
    3. Pronouns.  Students may provide their pronouns at any time via InsideWheaton. See section IV below for where pronouns will appear.
    4. Gender Identity.  Students may update their gender identity at any time via InsideWheaton.[4] See Section IV below for where gender identity will appear.

If there are any questions, please contact:

The Office for Institutional Equity and Belonging:  [email protected] 

IV. Use of Name, Pronouns and Gender Identity

Please note: the lists of documents in this section are not exhaustive.  As such, Legal Names and Chosen Names may appear on other documents and in other places not listed.

    1. Legal Name.  Legal names will appear on the following records:
      1. College ID cards[5]
      2. Enrollment documents, including enrollment verifications
      3. Financial aid and finance documents
      4. Insurance documents
      5. Medical documents
      6. NCAA documents
      7. Tax documents
      8. Academic Transcripts
      9. Visa documents
      10. Degree audit documents in DegreeWorks
      11. Housing contract
    1. Chosen Name.  Chosen names will appear on the following records:
      1. Class rosters (See Section IV below)
      2. Class Schedules
      3. College ID cards [6]
      4. Housing portal, roommate matching, housing rosters, and in correspondence related to housing and residence life
      5. Student directory information on InsideWheaton
      6. Canvas
    1. Students may choose to use their legal or chosen name in the following records:
      1. Athletic team rosters (collected in independent system by Athletics Department)
      2. Dean’s list (Contact Registrar’s Office to list chosen name)
      3. Diploma (Contact Registrar’s Office to list chosen name)
      4. Student email accounts (Contact Office of the Dean of Students to use chosen name)
    1. Pronouns.  Pronouns will appear on class rosters generated by the Registrar’s Office and distributed to the instructor of record for each course. They will not appear on class rosters in WINDOW.
    1. Gender Identity.  Gender Identity will appear on class rosters generated by the Registrar’s Office and distributed to the instructor of record on each course. They will not appear on class rosters in WINDOW.
V.  Additional Matters

Wheaton endeavors to educate campus community members about name, pronoun, and gender identity use as fully as possible and expects all community members to respect chosen names, an individual’s pronouns, and an individual’s gender identity.

While Wheaton seeks to make requested name or pronoun changes in all appropriate places in a timely manner, there may be instances where the change is not made or does not integrate into certain systems.

Questions regarding updating names, pronouns, or gender identity may be directed to the Office of the Registrar at: [email protected].

For questions regarding educational, mental health, or other relevant student support resources associated with gender identity, please contact any of the following offices:

__________________________

[1] Gender Identity exists on a spectrum of identifying as a man, woman, a blend of genders, another gender, or no gender. Additionally, gender identity can be fluid and may change throughout time.

[2] Students can review Wheaton’s Guide to Creating a Gender Affirming Wheaton to learn more about how to legally change one’s name in Massachusetts and other states.

[3] The College, in its sole discretion, may remove a Chosen Name if it contains inappropriate or offensive language, or if it is being used for misrepresentation.

[4] The College will make available the gender identity markers recommended by the Network for LGBTQ+ Inclusion, Support, and Advocacy. Please note that while the College will seek to ensure that these gender identity markers are available as choices in as many systems as possible, some systems still have limitations.

[5] College ID cards will begin to show chosen first names starting with the class entering in Fall 2022; therefore, use of chosen first names on College ID cards will be phased-in over time.

[6] College ID cards will begin to phase in to show chosen first names and email addresses starting with the class entering in Fall 2022; therefore, use of chosen first names on College ID cards will be phased-in over time

4/01/2022