Chosen (Preferred) Name Designation
Stonehill College has a strong commitment to a diverse and inclusive environment where the dignity of each person within our community is respected and affirmed. The College also recognizes that some students and employees may prefer to use first names other than their legal name. To uphold this commitment, the College has developed a policy whereby any current student or employee may elect to use a chosen first name in interpersonal interactions and on campus records whenever applicable and appropriate.
This policy is applicable to changing of first names only and is not applicable for individuals requesting a last name change.
Chosen first name: a name that one may wish to use other than their legal first name to identify oneself.
Such examples include:
- People who use their middle name instead of their first name
- People who use anglicized names
- Names that affirm one’s gender identity
Legal first name: a name that appears on official records of identification, such as a person’s passport, driver’s license or government-issued identification cards, birth certificate, or U.S. social security card.
Students wishing to use a chosen first name must initiate this request with the Office of Intercultural Affairs.
Because the chosen name has to be updated manually, the process for a chosen name change may take up ten (10) business days.
The Office of Intercultural Affairs provides academic, cultural and personal support to students of color and other underrepresented students on campus while helping them develop intellectual, social and leadership skills.