college policies

Chosen First Name/Personal Pronouns

Chosen First Name/Personal Pronouns

Macomb Community College recognizes that students, faculty members, and employees may use a first name other than their legal first name as well as preferred personal pronouns to identify themselves. Macomb acknowledges that a chosen first name/personal pronouns can be used where possible, and faculty/employees will attempt to address the chosen first name/personal pronouns in the course of Macomb business and education. The last name (surname) will remain unchanged.

Students who want to request the use of a chosen first name and/or personal pronouns should use the Student Update Form which will be submitted electronically to the Office of Records & Registration for processing. To verify the identity of the student, a valid Macomb ID card or government ID will be required with this form for changes to be processed.

Faculty and employees who want to request the use of a chosen first name and/or personal pronouns will need to submit the I Need to Change...Form for processing.

Macomb Community College reserves the right to deny or remove, with or without notice, any chosen first name/personal pronouns for misuse, including but not limited to fraud, misrepresentation, malice, maliciousness, mockery, attempting to avoid legal obligation, or the use of offensive or derogatory names.

When designated by a student, faculty member or employee, the college will attempt to use the chosen first name in Macomb communications except where use of a legal name is required by Macomb business (i.e., - official transcripts, employment forms, etc...see complete listing below). If an employee does not specify a chosen first name, the legal name will continue to be used for all purposes.

Student chosen first name will be used for the following:

  • Class roster
  • Student class schedule
  • Learning Management System
  • Diploma (Diploma name can be either your chosen first name or legal name. If you want your chosen first name on the diploma, you must already have your chosen first name listed on your official student record).

Faculty/Employee chosen first name will be used for the following:

  • General mailings (non-legal mailings)
  • College emails
  • ID Badges

Student legal name will be used for the following:

  • Official transcripts
  • Employment forms
  • Payroll and tax documents/records
  • Financial aid documents and records
  • Macomb One Card
  • Enrollment verification requests
  • Immigration documents/I-20's/SEVIS uploads
  • Third-party reports such as FOIA requests, National Student Clearinghouse, IPEDS, CEPI
  • Other reports or documents that require a legal name
  • Diploma (Diploma name can be either your chosen first name or legal name. If you want your chosen first name on the diploma, you must already have your chosen first name listed on your official student record).

Faculty and employee legal name will be used for the following:

  • Employment forms
  • Insurance documents
  • Payroll and tax documents/records
  • Retirement documents/records
  • Other reports or documents that require a legal name

Please be advised that requesting a chosen first name is not the same as legally changing your name through the court system. Selecting a chosen first name does not change your legal name on Macomb Community College's records. If you have a legal name change, please provide supporting legal documentation and complete:



Approved by President's Council
July 18, 2023