By Sydney Shaw
Editor-in-Chief
Students at the College who wish to be identified by a first, middle or last name that is different than the legal name they were given at birth may now use their preferred name in College-related documents, according to an email sent on Thursday, Sept. 1, by Kerri Tillett, associate vice president and chief diversity officer.
“As we strive to make The College of New Jersey an inclusive community, I am happy to introduce the Preferred Name Policy,” Tillett wrote in the email. “This policy helps us to be a campus of choice to those who desire to work/live/learn in inclusive environments.”
Tillett explained that this change does not include documents that require a legal name by law or policy.
For students who wish to use their preferred name, they can make the change through their PAWS accounts.
The new policy also applies to faculty and staff members, as well. They can change their preferred name through the College’s YESS network.
Canvas should reflect the name change within 24 hours, according to Tillett, while other information technology systems will be updated to reflect the name change within the coming months.
