Rule 3337-12-21 | Student names.
The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at
https://www.ohio.edu/policy/12-021.html
(A) Overview
Ohio university is committed to fostering an environment of inclusiveness and supporting students' preferred form of self-identification. With this in mind, this policy provides definitions for and uses of names and pronouns recorded for students.
A student is herein defined to mean any person who is or has been in attendance at Ohio university.
(B) Name types
(1) Legal name
Students are required to provide their legal names on their applications for admission. After enrollment, students may process official name changes or corrections with the office of the university registrar. A change of legal name requires an official document or court order verifying the correct information at the time the request is made. One of the following documents may be submitted for verification of the legal name change:
(a) Valid passport (required for international students in non-immigrant status);
(b) Court action document;
(c) Divorce decree (the appropriate page of the decree);
(d) Marriage certificate;
(e) Valid driver's license and social security card (you must submit both and the names must match);
(f) Federal or state-issued identification card and a social security card (you must submit both and the names must match).
When only one word is provided for the legal name, the information will be stored in a system's last name field with the standardized designation of 'FNU' (first name unknown) stored in the first name field.
(2) Diploma name
Students may provide abbreviated variations of their legal names when they apply for graduation. The name appearing on a student's diploma may be different from the legal name only with these options: option of first name or initial, option of including or excluding the middle name or initial, proper capitalization, and proper accentuation of the name. First and middle names may not be lengthened (i.e., expanding an initial to a full name) for a diploma name without also updating the legal name.
(3) Preferred name
Students may provide a preferred name (or nickname) and pronoun in "My OHIO Student Center." The university reserves the right to remove a preferred name if it is used inappropriately or for misrepresentation. The dean of students has final authority for determining an appropriate preferred name.
(C) Use of names
(1) Legal name
Legal name will be used as follows:
(a) Reporting to state and federal agencies;
(b) Transcripts;
(c) Financial aid documents and processes;
(d) Identification cards;
(e) Enrollment and degree verification processes;
(f) Transfer and external credit processes;
(g) Official lists of students made available to the public or for communicating with "the parents or guardians of";
(h) Other records where the legal name is required by law or university policy.
(2) Diploma name
Diploma name will be used as follows:
(a) Diploma;
(b) Commencement program, if student has not requested non-disclosure of personally identifiable directory information.
(3) Preferred name
Preferred name and pronoun will be used in lieu of legal name when it is not necessary for the legal name to be used. It will be used across university systems where available. Faculty, staff, and students are expected to facilitate the use of preferred name and pronoun.
The version of this rule that includes live links to associated resources is online at
https://www.ohio.edu/policy/12-021.html
Supplemental Information