What is in a Name?
A person's name is the greatest connection to their own identity and individuality. Some might say it is the most important word in the world to that person. A person’s name is the one way we can easily get someone's attention. Calling a person by their first name is a sign of courtesy, respect, and a way of recognizing that person. Some individuals go by different names or nicknames during different parts of their lives (home, careers, family, friends, etc….).
We Have Exciting News!
Beginning today, you now have the option to add a chosen name, your preferred gender, and pronoun identities to your Personal Information page in PROWL available through MyLMU. Once added, your chosen first name will be propagated into other LMU systems unless there are compliance reasons to continue using your legal name. Currently, your chosen first name will display in Brightspace, Degree Works, LEO, Handshake, Web CheckOut (SFTV), and AIM (utilized by DSS). Additional applications will be added to this list in late September. These applications include OneCard, Box, MyLMU, Campus Director (for Greek Life), Teams, and Zoom.
Click the links for more information on How to Request a Chosen Name Update and its policies.
Questions can be submitted to: registrar@lmu.edu
- Definitions
- Community Resources
- Videos
- FAQ
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Chosen Name: A chosen name is simply a name that a person uses in their daily life that is different than the name appearing on their legal records.
Using a chosen is available to anyone at LMU. Some examples of people who are most likely to benefit from this opportunity include transgender and gender non-conforming members of the College, individuals who use a nickname or shortened version of their first name, or international students who want to use a different name while enrolled at Loyola Marymount University.
LGBTQ2S+: Sexual orientations and gender identities that aren’t heterosexual or cisgender are often described by the acronym LGBTQ2S+. LGBTQ2S+ is an acronym that stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, and Two-Spirit.
Transgender: a term often used by people whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. People whose gender identity falls outside of the gender binary (the idea that there are only two genders — man and woman) may also call themselves trans. It’s up to each individual to choose how they want to identify (in other words, no one else can decide if/when a person is or isn’t trans). Other terms to describe a gender identity that may be used by some people include genderqueer, gender fluid, gender non-conforming, non-binary and androgynous.
Trans is not a sexual orientation — it’s a gender identity. “T” (for transgender/trans) is grouped with the sexual orientations in LGBTQ2S+ for many reasons, including shared civil and human rights activism and similar experiences of discrimination.
Nonbinary: a person who doesn’t accept a society that only acknowledges the gender binary of man and woman and defines their gender outside of those norms. People who are non-binary may identify as having no gender, feel in between genders or have a gender that is not always the same. Individuals who identify as non-binary may or may not also identify as trans.
Pronoun:
- Gendered pronouns specifically reference someone’s gender: he/him/his or she/her/hers.
- Non-gendered or nonbinary pronouns are not gendered specific and are most often used by people who identify outside of a gender binary. The most common set of nonbinary pronouns is they/them/their used in the singular (e.g., Jadzia identifies as genderqueer; they do not see themselves as either a woman or a man). Other nonbinary pronouns include ze (pronounced “zee”) in place of she/he, and hir (pronounced “here”) in place of his/him/her (e.g., Jadzia runs hir own business, but ze is more well-known as an author). The terms “it” or “he-she” are slurs used against transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals, and should not be used.
- Other approaches to pronouns may include going simply by one’s name, not having a preference, or wanting to avoid pronouns altogether.
QTPOC: Initialisms that stand for queer people of color and queer and/or trans people of color.
Sacred Spaces: Loyola Marymount University is home to six spaces designed for Catholic worship on campus. From the Spanish gothic Chapel of the Sacred Heart to architect Frank Gehry's post-modern Chapel of the Advocate at the Law School, the university boasts some of the most beautiful and diverse worship spaces in all of Los Angeles.
Examen: The examen is a prayerful reflection from the Spiritual Exercises which has become a key part of Jesuit life and which can have a powerful impact on the lives of those who use it. It consists of setting time aside each day (for Ignatius twice a day, at midday and the end of the day) to reflect prayerfully on the events of the day and where God has been in those events.
Gender Expression: The external display of one’s gender, through a combination of clothing, grooming, demeanor, social behavior, and other factors, generally made sense of on scales of masculinity, femininity, or another gender. Also referred to as “gender presentation.”
SPS (TAO): Student Psychological Services therapists have advanced degrees, training, and experience in clinical and counseling psychology. SPS is here to help students develop their full personal, social, and intellectual potential during their years at LMU. We also hope to help students adapt to life's many challenges and opportunities.
LGBTQ Student Services: LGBT Student Services provides educational and support services to students that identify as LGBT+ and allies. The LGBT Student Services Office at LMU focuses on promoting equality, visibility, and inclusion of LGBT students within the LMU community. This is done by providing support for the LGBT student community and individual students. Check LGBT Student Services for more information.
Sacred Spaces: Take a few moments and meditate on "Sacred Spaces at LMU," a video we produced featuring LMU's Sacred Spaces, based on a prayer written by Kevin Meilak '14, which appeared in our Lion Prayerbook, Volume III.
Loyola Marymount University is home to six spaces designed for Catholic worship on campus. From the Spanish gothic Chapel of the Sacred Heart to architect Frank Gehry's post-modern Chapel of the Advocate at the Law School, the university boasts some of the most beautiful and diverse worship spaces in all of Los Angeles. Find more information about Sacred Spaces: LMU Places of Peace.
EIS: The Ethnic and Intercultural Services Department (EIS) provides services and resources that promote the academic mission of Loyola Marymount University. EIS provides a supportive environment where individual growth and cultural expression is encouraged and academic excellence is expected. Check Ethnic and Intercultural Services for more information.
Los Angeles LGBT Center: The Los Angeles LGBT Center is more than a service provider, it’s where a vibrant community comes together to learn, grow, and celebrate. Check Los Angeles LGBT Center for more information.
Names.org: What can you learn about your name? Check Names.org for more information.
Pronouns Dressing Room: Tool to help folks with learning more about their pronouns. Check Pronoun Dressing Room for more information.
- Where do I find the policies and procedures for the Chosen Name Project
The policies and procedures for Chosen Name/What’s In A Name can be found on the Registrar’s website. Here is a link for your convenience:
- What is a chosen name?
A person's name is the greatest connection to their own identity and individuality. Some might say it is the most important word in the world to that person. A person’s name is the one way we can easily get someone's attention. Calling a person by their first name is a sign of courtesy, respect, and a way of recognizing that person. Some individuals go by different names or nicknames during different parts of their lives (home, careers, family, friends, etc.). It can be what you go by now or something new that you choose, it is up to you.
- How do I change my name through the LMU systems so people know I do not go by my first name?
To add a chosen name to your record, log into PROWL > Personal Information > Personal Details. Click “Edit”, enter your chosen name and then click “Update” to save. Your chosen name will be pushed to other LMU systems overnight. A current list of systems that will display your chosen name can be found here. Also, remember, if your parents/guardians look into your information, your chosen name will show.
- Where may I place my pronoun?
Pronouns may also be added to the Registrar’s system via PROWL. Please note this will not display in other LMU systems, but it will be viewable to you in PROWL.
- Who may I talk with about my chosen name?
Please look to the support and resources on campus. You may talk with friends, Community of Care Resource Case Managers, Student Psychological Services, mentors, family, instructors, Career Services and Development, LGBTQ Office, Ethnic and Intercultural Services, Campus Ministry, Resident Ministry, and many other community members on campus. Please consider someone you trust or can trust to assist you to ask yourself the appropriate questions.
- Who may I talk to about legally changing my name?
The LGBTQ Office has assisted the LGBTQ students. Paperwork will need to go through your
- I'm having a lot of trouble figuring out my chosen name and pronouns! Who can I go to?
Please look to the support and resources on campus. You may talk with friends, Community of Care Resources Case managers, Student Psychological Services, mentos, family, instructors, Career Services and Development, LGBTQ Office, Ethnic and Intercultural Services, Campus Ministry, Resident Ministry, and many other community members on campus. Please consider someone you trust or can trust to assist your ask yourself the appropriate questions.
- How often can I change my chosen name?
There is no limit at this time for changing your chosen name. We ask individuals to be considerate of the process and system.
- How often can I change my pronouns?
There is no limit at this time for changing your chosen name. We ask individuals to be considerate of the process and system.
- Who will see my chosen name? my pronouns? Is it customizable?
Please see the following link to the Registrar’s Office site which shares a list of the systems that see your chosen name. At this time the Registrar’s Office is the only system that will see your gender and pronouns. You may select from the extensive list of options; however, this field is not customizable.
- Will my professors automatically see my chosen name and pronouns?
Professors will be able to see your chosen name in PROWL. ITS is working to add your chosen name to their printable rosters. They will not be able to see your pronouns since this will exist on the Registrar’s site only at this time.