Emory University Student Designated Name and Pronoun Policy
Emory University Student Designated Name and Pronoun Policy
Emory University is committed to fostering an environment of inclusiveness and supporting students’ designated forms of identification and address. With this in mind, this policy provides definitions for, and uses of, student-identified names and pronouns recorded for students.
Emory University maintains the academic record for currently enrolled students as well as alumni. To maintain accurate student records and to provide truthful verification of attendance and degrees earned, it is necessary to maintain consistent student naming conventions across all student records.
The University will use a student’s Legal Name where there is a legal or business need and for all external reporting. The University will allow the use of a Designated Student Name and Pronoun to provide a consistent
experience across university systems and where the use of one's Legal Name is not absolutely necessary.
Student Designated Name and Pronoun Descriptions
Designated Name:
Except when the use of an individual’s legal name is required by law or policy, students will be identified in Emory University data systems by the name they have designated in Emory’s student information system (Opus). Students may add, edit, or remove their designations at any time. Places where Designated Name can be used include university diploma, advising center, class and grade rosters, My Housing, Canvas, and EmoryCard.
Designated Pronouns:
Students/Employees may designate pronouns by entering this information in Opus Self-Service. The designated pronoun will be displayed publicly in Opus, along with the designated name. Providing pronoun information is optional and entirely voluntary. Students may add, edit, or remove their pronouns at any time. The possible gender pronoun designations and forms of address may include but are not limited to: He/Him/His, She/Her/Hers, They/Them/Theirs, Ms., Mr., Mrs. Or Mx, and other terms associated with designating a person’s gender identity.
Keeping Your Identity Private
Under FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, directory information may be disclosed to the public. At Emory, directory information includes but is not limited to, the student’s Legal Name or Designated Name. Students may also elect to include both their Legal Name and Designated Name. A student who does not want to be included in the directory can withhold directory information.
Emory University is committed to protecting your personal information and respecting your privacy. We strive to follow best practices regarding data privacy and the protection of the personal information of our community members. For information about how Emory University collects and protects personal information throughout the University, see the Emory University Privacy Statement for Student Characteristics.
Designated Name and Pronoun Frequently Asked Questions
Once you enter a designated name, within 24 hours this name will be available in MyNetlD for your use as part of your Emory email address. To use your designated first name in your email address, go to Identity and Access Management and select MYNETID in the upper right corner. This requires you to be on the Emory Network or VPN.
If a designated name exists in OPUS, this name will appear in the Emory on-line directory and in the Global Address List within 24 hours. The on-line directory is available to the public and anyone doing a search on your last name will be able to view this information.To add a Diploma Name, follow the steps below.
- Log in to OPUS
- Click on the Profile tile
- Click on the plus sign (+) under the Names section, enter the first and middle name ONLY, and Save. Note: The last name on the diploma must match the last name from the Primary/Legal Name.
- If editing, click on the Degree Name to update first and middle name ONLY and Save.
Your designated name is potentially visible to your family members if you grant them Guest Access to the following pages in OPUS:
- View Unofficial Transcript
- View Names
- View Messages
- View Communications
- View Emails and Phone Numbers (if designated name is used for email address alias)
To prevent your designated name from appearing to your family members, when creating a Guest Access account in OPUS, do not select any of these options.
Please note that your designated name may also be used on university communications that are sent to either your permanent or local addresses. If either of these addresses is a family address, then it is possible for your family to see your designated name on that correspondence.
Your designated name may be visible to your family members through the Emory Parent and Family portal (link). This portal is supported by Campus Life. Log into the portal and review the documentation before granting any access to your family members.
Your designated name will display in the Emory person directory, but you will only be visible to individuals that are physically on campus or who have an active VPN connection. If you enable FERPA suppression in OPUS, then you will be entirely removed from the person directory within 24-hours. To learn more about FERPA suppression, please visit our FERPA webpage, https://registrar.emory.edu/records-transcripts/ferpa.html.
Many students wish to use their designated name universally, including on mail sent to their permanent addresses. Consequently, some offices may send physical mail addressed using your designated name. Students may consider changing their designated first name to an initial to mitigate this.
The following biographical attributes are never displayed to your family members:
- Gender Identity
- Sexual Orientation
- Designated Pronouns (unless you allow them to View Names in guest access)
Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation are strictly used for internal demographic reporting and will never by disclosed to anybody for individual students.