Preferred Name Procedure
Students may request the use of a Preferred First and/or Middle Name through the Office of the Registrar.
Students must submit a request through the Data Change Request Form. If a student is under the age of 18, the Data Change Request Form needs to be filled out and parental permission from a parent/guardian must be given.
Students are encouraged to contact the course instructor, in advance, to request the use of a
preferred first name with the course roster.
Approved requests for the use of a preferred first/middle name will be completed in between semesters.
Preferred Name Policy
I. OVERVIEW
Mitchell Community College recognizes that students may wish to identify themselves by a first and/or middle name other than their legal first and middle name. We are happy to make this change. For this reason, the College will enable the Mitchell Community College community to use a preferred name where possible in the course of their interactions. These may include, but are not limited to, community members who use their middle name instead of their first name, who are international, whose marital status has changed, who use nicknames, etc. Our goal is to build a supportive campus environment where our community members can be called and identified by the name they prefer.
Where possible, the person will be addressed by the preferred name. Their preferred name will appear in communications with Mitchell Community College. This may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Learning Management System
- Identification / Name badge
- Class rosters
- Diplomas, awards, and recognition
It is the policy of Mitchell Community College that students may use names other than their legal name to identify themselves, regardless of whether they have legally changed their name, except where their legal names are required by law, such as federal and state documentation.
Other forms of communication or processes which may still require the use of legal name include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Official transcripts
- Financial aid
- State and federal reporting
- Student accounts and student billing
- Immigration documents
- National Student Clearinghouse
II. LIMITATIONS
The use of a chosen name cannot be for misrepresentation or for illegal purposes. At Mitchell Community College, we welcome and embrace the creativity and individualism of our community. However, we do reserve the right to reject inappropriate preferred name requests such as offensive or derogatory language. Also, preferred name changes may not be used to avoid legal obligations or for illegal purposes.