No, you do not have to specify a first name/prefix/gender identity/pronoun. This is an option for people who wish to use a name other than their legal name or other language to identify themselves.

If you use your legal name, you do not need to specify a different name. Prefix, gender identity, and pronoun updates are also at the discretion of the individual. 

A first name when designated will be used in ALL communications from Montco unless otherwise required to use a legal name. 

A changed First Name is the name that an individual wishes to go by that is not their legal first name. 

A legal name is the name that is reflected on legal documents such as a birth certificate, social security card, passport, driver’s license, and other such documents controlled by local, state, or federal agencies. 

No. A change to first name does not change your legal name. To change your legal name, follow the steps to “change my legal name” by completing the Student Information Update Form. You will need to provide appropriate documentation.  

To change your legal name, follow the steps to “change my legal name” by completing the corresponding section of the Student Information Update Form. You will need to provide appropriate documentation.  

Montco will strive to use your changed first name where possible, but your legal name will continue to be used in business and other processes that require use of a legal name. Examples of where your legal name is necessary include but are not limited to the following.

• Billing records
• Campus Safety and Law Enforcement (i.e., You will be required to produce legal name and corresponding identification if/when encountering Campus Safety and/or law enforcement)
• Checks and direct deposit files issued by Accounts Payable
• Emergency medical and injury situations (i.e., You will be required to produce legal name and corresponding identification if/when encountering Campus Safety and/or law enforcement)
• Federal Immigration documents
• Financial Aid documents
• Medical records
• Non-Resident Visas and supporting documentation

• Parking pass applications (For the potential follow-up to unpaid parking tickets when compared to the vehicle's uploaded registration card)

• Payroll
• Specialized rosters reporting (i.e., Some clinical site locations, NJCAA Conference reports)
• Student loan documents
• Tax forms (i.e., W2, 1095C, 1098T, 1099)
• Transcript & official enrollment records reporting
• Veteran’s Certification

Montco strives to have your changed first name appear wherever legal name is NOT required.  Examples of where your new/changed name will be used includes but are not limited to the following.

• Class rosters
• Canvas
• Starfish
• College email and text messaging
• USPS mail
• Phone calls

You may expect your first name, prefix, gender identity, or pronouns to be updated in college systems within 72 business hours of submission.

Please understand that not all members of the College Community may know that you made a change so please be understanding if it takes everyone time to adjust.

Yes. Your current faculty members will receive an email notification and your first name, prefix, or pronouns change and the change will appear on Canvas rosters and across associated college systems.

Please understand that not all members of the College Community will know that you made a change so please be understanding if it takes everyone a while to adjust.

Pronouns will be recorded within Montco's official student information system and be available within this system and on class rosters. 

Pronouns are not used with all systems and not automatically published to or connected with all campus systems.  Individuals can publish their pronouns on these non-connected systems themselves if they choose.

Colleges and Universities are required to collect and report gender identity data to the federal government through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) to comply with Title IX and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

Montco does not use gender identity for any individual purposes other than aggregate demographic data collection and reporting.

We trust the members of the College Community to identify names after careful consideration, with good intentions, and with the community’s best interests in mind. We don’t anticipate having to deny a name change request or remove a name. However, we do reserve the right to reject inappropriate requests and to remove changed first names with or without notice. 

We cannot give an exhaustive account of which uses or names would be inappropriate, but we can illustrate the idea with a few examples. First name changes may not be used to avoid legal obligations or for illegal purposes. First name requests should not include offensive or derogatory language. The purpose of the Inclusive Language process is to foster a campus environment that is inclusive and that encourages self-expression; we expect to approve all first name changes that do not violate this purpose. 

If you would like to speak with someone to determine whether a change to first name, prefix, gender identity, or pronouns is right for your needs, please contact the Office of Equity, Diversity, & Belonging for support.

If you are a student who has submitted a first name, prefix, gender identity, or pronouns change and later decide that you would rather use your legal first name or a different first name, prefix, gender identity, or pronouns on campus, you may request that change at any time by completing the corresponding section of the Student Information Update Form.

No. You will have an opportunity to make this choice when completing the Student Information Update Form.

Please understand that username changes will not immediately go into effect until the start of the next semester.  This update is delayed ensuring seamless functionality of external software resources that may be tied to the current username throughout an active semester/session.

The Inclusive Name/Language process is currently set up to recognize the following Prefixes within our systems:

• M.
• Miss
• Mr.
• Mrs.
• Ms.
• Mx.

Montco's Inclusive Language process is ongoing and new information, systems, and services (including prefixes) may be added each year through continued feedback and dialogue from the College Community. 

The Inclusive Language process is currently set up to recognize the following Gender Identities within our systems:

• Agender
• Female
• Genderqueer
• Gender Fluid
• Gender Non-Conforming
• Intergender
• Intersex
• Male
• Nonbinary
• Other
• Transgender
• Trans Male
• Trans Female
• Prefer not to answer

Montco’s Inclusive Language process is ongoing and new information, systems, and services (including gender identity) may be added each year through continued feedback and dialogue from the College Community. 

The Inclusive Language process is currently set up to recognize the following Pronouns within our systems:

• He/Him/His
• She/Her/Hers
• They/Them/Theirs
• Ze/Zir/Zirs

Montco’s Inclusive Language process is ongoing and new information, systems, and services (including pronouns) may be added each year through continued feedback and dialogue from the College Community. 

This depends on when you make the change to your first name and what type of College ID card you require.  

If you require a physical Montco College ID card to access a clinical site or a specialty classroom your ID card will reflect the name upon issuance of the ID card.  If you do not require a physical College ID card (most students) your Virtual College ID will be updated within 72 business hours of the first name change submission.

Please be aware that your Montco College ID card is not a legal form of identification. Campus Safety, Judicial Affairs staff, law enforcement, and other College officials will need to verify your legal name for your safety or to carry out their responsibilities.

For this reason, Montco recommends all students carry their driver’s license or other legal identification when on campus or when asked to provide legal identification.  

Monty Chat can answer many of your questions or get you in touch with the best support systems.  Monty Chat can be reached via the College website, Montco Connect, or via https://www.mc3.edu/footer/contact-us.