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Chosen Name and Pronoun Policy

Updated January 2025

Michigan State University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. MSU recognizes that students, faculty and staff should be able to self-identify and use their chosen names and pronouns, except when an individual’s legal name is required by law, policy or business needs.

MSU has established the Chosen Name and Pronoun Policy to provide definitions for and uses of chosen names and pronouns recorded for students, faculty and staff.

To access the university policy, visit policies.msu.edu. 

SCOPE 

To promote an inclusive and respectful environment for all students, faculty and staff by recognizing and using individuals’ chosen names and pronouns.

EXECUTIVE SPONSORS 

Jabbar R. Bennett, Ph.D., Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer 

Vennie Gore, Executive Vice President for Administration

Thomas D. Jeitschko, Ph.D., Interim Provost, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

 

KEY MILESTONES 

  • January 2025: Policy update
  • 2023-24: Project management
  • July 2023: Policy release
  • November 2022: University Implementation Project Team convened 
  • July 2021: Workgroup provided recommendations 
  • April 2021: Short-Term Work Group on Names and Pronouns established

 

PROJECT PHASES 

  • Feasibility assessment  
  • Project roadmap  
  • Design (current)
  • Implementation

MY SPARTAN IDENTITY PORTAL

MSU Information Technology is designing a new portal called My Spartan Identity for MSU community members to update their name and pronouns across the Student Information System, Human Resources system and People Search (name only).

Participation in the MyIdentity system is voluntary, with strong measures in place to protect privacy. MSU will not disclose identity information unless required by law, policy or institutional necessity.

  • FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    What is the purpose of the policy?   

    Michigan State University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. MSU recognizes that students, faculty and staff should be able to self-identify and use their chosen names and pronouns, except when an individual’s legal name is required by law, policy or business needs. 

    What information will be shared with university staff and faculty?  

    Under FERPA, school officials with a legitimate educational interest may access personally identifiable information that they need to complete their role. For example, Housing may need to access legal sex and gender to complete housing assignments; a department may need to use legal name on contracts or other legal documents; or use legal name as required by local, state, federal law or university policy 

    What information can be shared without my consent?  

    • Student Information: Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the University may disclose directory information about students without obtaining their written consent, which includes a student’s name. Name, if provided, will be used, otherwise it would defer to legal name. Students have the right to restrict their directory information and can do so by visiting their student profile at student.msu.edu. Please contact ferpa@msu.edu to share specific questions. 
    • Employee Information: If there is a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for employee data, there is a likelihood that any voluntarily disclosed employee information may be provided.
     

    How will my student information will be shared?  

    You can e-mail the FERPA Compliance Officer at FERPA@msu.edu with any specific questions.

    How do I legally change my name in the State of Michigan and update it with MSU? 

    • Steps for legal name changes in Michigan 
    • Change legal name on student records: You should bring a driver's license, official state ID card, Social Security card, court order of legal name change, current passport, or official proof of identity certified by U.S. embassy abroad or by the appropriate foreign embassy in the United States to the Office of the Registrar, 150 Administration Building. You may also submit your request by mail or fax, (517) 353-1935, including legible copies of your documentation. 
    • Complete the MSU Human Resources Employee and Dependent Personal Data Change Form and submit via email to the Compliance Team at hr.i9admin@hr.msu.edu but can also be sent to the Solutions Center at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu 
    • Where should I report known misconduct as it relates to interpersonal engagement of campus stakeholders? 
    • Situations of harassment, discrimination, relationship violence, stalking, sexual assault should be reported to the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) 
    • Report online at: https://msu.publicincidentreporting.com/ 
    • Call OIE at (517) 353-3922 or email oie@msu.edu 
    • Situations of behavioral threat should be reported to Behavioral Threat Assessment Team (BTAT) – referral form 
    • Situations of misconduct regarding athletics, conflict of interest, discrimination and harassment, employment, fiscal misconduct, hazing, medical and HIPAA, privacy, research, retaliation and safety should be reported to the Misconduct Hotline – local options for reporting misconduct.

For questions or to provide feedback, email inclusion@msu.edu.