Huskers can now self-select the way they want to be addressed while on campus.
Following more than a year of discussion, review and implementation, the University of Nebraska system has launched a Chosen Name and Gender Identity Policy. Also known as Executive Memorandum No. 40, the policy allows students, faculty and staff at all NU campuses — including the University of Nebraska–Lincoln — to select their chosen name, gender identity and pronouns.
“Our university is dedicated to cultivating a more inclusive environment and we embrace opportunities that positively impact the lives of our students, faculty and staff,” said Marco Barker, vice chancellor of diversity and inclusion. “This policy is an important and critical step in this quest — and, one that allows our community to recognize the dynamics and significance of one’s chosen name, pronouns and gender identity.”
The option is available to students via MyRED and to faculty/staff in Firefly. Chosen names will be available on class rosters, in Canvas, campus directory and Zoom. It will also soon be available in other university systems where a legal name is not required.
Pronouns are immediately available in Canvas and Zoom. Users can also control if and how pronouns are displayed in Zoom.
“This policy is a reflection of our university’s commitment to being a place where every person and every interaction matters,” said Pat Tetreault, director of the LGBTQA+ Center and the Women’s Center. “Ultimately, this policy will further our university’s understanding of and comfort level with gender inclusive language.
“At this time, we ask that everyone take time to listen, learn and care about these individual identities and to respectfully use the name and pronouns that people go by.”
Details about how to update name and gender identity are available here.
The university will also hold “Waffles and Conversation” sessions, exploring the new policy, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Sept. 13 and Sept. 20. The Sept. 13 session is in Cather Dining Hall’s Red Cloud Room, while the Sept. 20 presentation is in Massengale Hall’s Multipurpose Room. Seating is limited and reservations are required.
Per federal regulations and NU Board of Regents policies, legal sex, gender identity and pronouns are not public directory information for students, faculty or staff. This information will not be disclosed to individuals outside of the university system.
Students should note that parents and/or guardians with log-in credentials may be able to access the information. Legal sex, gender identity, pronouns and chosen name will not be available if guest access is granted to student account information.
A brief overview of where the information will appear in campus systems is below. Complete details regarding the policy and its implementation are available here.
Where will my information appear?
- Chosen names will appear in campus directories.
- Pronouns and chosen name will be listed in Canvas.
- Chosen name automatically shows when using Zoom. Users will have the option to show pronouns when using Zoom.
