Gender Equity Resources, Names and Pronouns

Affirmed Names

CSUB offers students the option to use a affirmed name other than their legal name to identify themselves. The University will then use that affirmed name wherever possible unless legal requirements mandate the use of the legal name. Students can also specify their preferred pronouns, which will show up on class rosters for faculty.

Step 1: How to Set Your Affirmed Name

From the Student Center, click Names link located in the Personal Information section.

Your Primary Name is your legal name and is on your legal documents, such as your social security card, passport, or birth certificate. Your Affirmed Name is the name you want people to call you. In addition, you may have Former, Diploma, or other names.

Screenshot of MyCSUB Personal Information section, highlighting Names selection.

Step 2

The Names page appears. You add, edit, or delete names from this page.

Screenshot of MyCSUB Personal Information section, highlighting "Names" section.

Screenshot of MyCSUB Personal Information section, highlighting "Names" section.

Pronouns

Pronouns are how a person wants to be referred to in the third person. By respecting others’ pronouns, you recognize their sense of self and affirm the humanity of all members of our community, specifically transgender, gender non-conforming, non-binary, gender questioning, and other gender diverse members of our community. Using an individual’s pronouns correctly is a way to continue to practice inclusion and foster belonging at CSUB.

Step 1: How to Set Your Pronoun

Log in to your MyCSUB account and select "Pronouns" under the Personal Information drobdown menu.

Screenshot of MyCSUB Personal Information section, highlighting "Pronouns" selection.

Screenshot of MyCSUB Personal Information section, highlighting "Pronouns" selection.

Step 2

Choose your pronoun.

Screenshot of MyCSUB Pronoun section.

Video: How to Change Your Pronouns in MyCSUB

Using Pronouns

She/her/hers

She is calling.
Her family is nice.
That car is hers.
When in doubt, ask the woman herself.

Source - University of Colorado Boulder

He/him/his

He is calling.
His family is nice.
That car is his.
When in doubt, ask the man himself.

Source - University of Colorado Boulder

They/them/theirs

They are calling.
Their family is nice.
That car is theirs.
When in doubt, ask the person themselves.

Source - University of Colorado Boulder

Ze/zir/zirs

Ze is calling.
Zir family is nice.
That car is zirs.
When it doubt ask the person hirself.
Ze is pronounced like the letter “z,” like “zee.”
Hir is pronounced like “here” and hirs is similar, but with an “s” on the end.

Source - University of Colorado Boulder

Ve/Ver/Vis

Ve is calling.
Ver family is nice
That car is Vis.
When in doubt ask the person verself.
Ve is pronounced like the letter “v,” like “vee.”

Name

Some people don't want to use pronouns at all and will ask you to refer to them by their name alone.

Source - University of Colorado Boulder

Common Terms

Gender Identity

a person's internal sense of being male, female, some combination of male and female, or neither male nor female

Source - Link to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

Cisgender

of, relating to, or being a person whose gender identity corresponds with the sex the person had or was identified as having at birth

Source - Link to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

Transgender

of, relating to, or being a person whose gender identity differs from the sex the person had or was identified as having at birth

Source - Link to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

Non-Binary

Non-binary, similar to genderqueer, is a spectrum of gender identities that are not exclusively masculine or exclusively feminine‍—‌identities that are outside the gender binary of male and female.

Source - LGBT Life Center

Genderqueer

Similar to “non-binary” – some people regard “queer” as offensive, others embrace it.

Source - LGBT Life Center

Genderfluid

Applies to a person whose gender identity changes over time or changes at different times.

Source - LGBT Life Center

Changing Your Legal Name

To change your name, date of birth, Social Security number (SSN)/ITIN or other, use the Personal Data Change Form. For any questions, please contact the Office of the Registrar.

International students must contact the Office of International Studies to update their SEVIS Record.

Note: If you are an employee of the university, student, or staff, do not use this form to update your name, SSN, or address. Visit the Office of Human Resources to complete an Employee Action Request form.

Personal Data Change Form

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Is A Preferred Name?

A preferred name is a first and/or middle name by which someone wishes to be commonly known if different from their legal first name. Unlike preferred name changes, legal name changes in campus systems must be handled by the Office of the Registrar or by Human Resources.

What Are Pronouns?

Pronouns are those that an individual chooses for themself and wants others to use when talking to or about them.

Can I Set or Change My Pronouns and Preferred Name to Whatever I Want?

You can set a preferred name that you want to be known by in university systems instead of your legal name, where such usage is currently supported. You can set preferred pronouns to be used on class rosters for faculty. The University reserves the right to remove a preferred name or pronoun if it is inappropriate or being used for misrepresentation or to evade legal obligations. Inappropriate use of a preferred name or pronouns may be a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and will be referred to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

Will My Pronoun and Preferred Name Be Used for Everything at the University?

We’re using preferred name in as many places as we can. Bear in mind that your legal name will continue to be used anywhere a legal name is required — on your diploma, official and unofficial transcript, and any documentation involving financial aid or student accounts. For some of these services, you may need to provide government ID containing your legal name (such as when picking up a check).

Right now, pronouns are being used in PeopleSoft on the class roster and faculty advising pages.

Can I Change My Email Address to Match My Preferred Name?

No, unfortunately not at this time.

May I Request A CSUB Username That Uses My Preferred Name?

Students who have made a change to their legal name or identity can request a change to their CSUB User Name. Just submit a request to the Technology Help Desk and they'll walk you through the process. This option is in process for staff and faculty.

May I Request A CSUB ID Card with My Preferred Name?

Yes! For more information, please visit the ITS Photo ID page.

Will My Faculty See My Preferred Name in Canvas?

No, unfortunately not at this time. We will update this page when that feature becomes available.

Can I Specify A Preferred Last Name?

No. Last names can be changed only as a result of a legal name change. You must file a Name Change Request with the Office of the Registrar to do this.

Am I Required to Set A Pronoun or Preferred Name?

No. Using a preferred name is entirely optional. You can change this at any time.

How Long Will It Take for My Preferred Name to Appear and Be Used by the University?

Once you set your preferred name in PeopleSoft, it will automatically appear and be used on the Class and Grade rosters right away. Changes to gender pronouns will update in class rosters immediately.

Do I Need to Change My Password When I Set A Preferred Name?

Maybe. If your existing password contains your preferred name, you might have trouble logging out. Our password rules prohibit us from using our names in the password. If your password happens to include your preferred name, we recommend that you change it.