NSU strives to foster a campus environment that is inclusive and encourages self-expression, built on the principles of everyone treating each other with respect, dignity, and civility. The university recognizes that some members of our community may wish to use and be addressed by a name other than their legal name. Under the new Preferred Name/Preferred Pronoun policy, students, faculty, and staff will be able to formally choose to identify themselves within the NSU community with a Preferred Name that differs from their legal name and/or with Preferred Pronouns.
Members of the NSU community will be able to designate a Preferred Name in addition to their legal name and their Preferred Pronouns at any point, and there will be no limit on the number of times a Preferred Name or Preferred Pronouns can be changed. However, Preferred Names cannot be used for the purpose of misrepresentation, to avoid legal obligations, or in any manner that is inconsistent with NSU policy or federal, state, or local laws.
The designation of a Preferred Name and/or Preferred Pronoun will be an automated process that will typically be reflected in applicable NSU information systems and records within 24 hours of submission.
NSU is not mandating that any individual affirm another’s gender identity, only that they demonstrate respect and politeness to those individuals who have selected a Preferred Name and/or Pronoun by addressing them as such.