As schools across the country adopt accommodative efforts for trans and non-binary students, Nova Southeastern University has begun considering its options as well, most notably through preferred names and pronouns on school IDs; but it has also raised questions about how this can be done.
University President George Hanbury held a town hall in the University Center on March 31 where he took various questions from students. An anonymous question submitted online asked about preferred names and pronouns on Sharkcards, something that has gained steam throughout the semester at NSU.
The concept is simple: adding customizable pronouns and preferred names to Sharkcards, email addresses and on Canvas. This policy change is heavily favored by trans students who it would affect.
Sol Mateo Astacio, sophomore dual education and music major and trans student said, “I think it’s super inconvenient to not have my preferred name on my documentation. Even if I tell people, every time they email, they use my deadname.”
Trans students usually get a name change at some point in their transition, but the process is long and costly, and for many students it is not a possibility yet.
What’s stopping NSU? Documentation and public safety concerns.
“We are working with vendors to see if we can add preferred names that can carry though while the system still has the legal name… Our vendors are trying to see if preferred names can be applied,” said Stephanie Brown, vice president of Enrollment and Student Services at the town hall.
While President Hanbury acknowledged that he wants what is best for students, he said that his decision on the matter would be based on the rules and regulations put forth by the Department of Education. According to the Washington Post, the Department of Education is putting out new Title IX guidelines in April prohibiting discrimination against trans students.
The Undergraduate Student Government Association posted a step-by-step guide on how to change pronouns on Canvas on their Instagram account.
USGA president-elect Lijo Andrews stated during his presidential debate in March that one of his priorities, along with placing more flags of countries in the UC, was implementing gender-affirming ID for students.
“A lot of these big-name schools have the option to change your preferred name in a way where it won’t affect any legal processes. Working with Hanbury on this is a top priority,” said Andrews.
Andrews specified that he intends to work with Public Safety, the University Registrar and OIIT to “discuss what the first steps would be.” He intends to put preferred names and pronouns on Sharkcards and on Outlook emails, which currently can’t be changed.
“I feel like the voice of trans students and non-binary students has been overlooked for way too long. It’s time we address these issues… I’m sorry we haven’t been able to make this happen. It’s very important to a lot of students and it’s important to me,” said Andrews.
Trans students are all too eager for the results.
James Geier, sophomore biology major and transmasculine student said, regarding Andrews, “USGA has someone who is willing to fight for trans people and our rights on campus,” adding that they avoid sending emails as much as possible for fear of reveling their deadname.
“If NSU can remove deadnames and add preferred pronouns, it would relieve this stress and allow trans students like myself to live without fear of being called a name that we work to keep hidden,” said Geier.
