Affirmed Names Process

While KCCD District Policy requires students to use their legal name for official records, Cerro Coso College is working to provide more flexibility in the use of student and employee affirmed first names.

Affirmed and Legal Name

To foster a campus environment that is inclusive and encourages self-expression, Cerro Coso College recognizes and provides a mechanism by which any current student may use an affirmed first name and pronoun(s) on campus. We recognize a student may use a name that conforms to their gender expression or may go by a first name that represents themself. Students may use their affirmed first name, regardless of whether they have legally changed their name.

Individuals may request to use an affirmed first name and gender pronouns by completing a simple form. This is an optional process for all students and employees.

Complete the Affirmed Name Update Form

Affirmed Name

We encourage Cerro Coso College staff to use students affirmed first names and pronouns in their daily interactions with students. Cerro Coso College will display affirmed names to the college community where feasible and appropriate and will make a good-faith effort to update reports, documents, and systems designated to use affirmed names. Inappropriate use of an affirmed name (including but not limited to avoiding legal obligation or misrepresentation) may be cause for denying the use of affirmed names. Affirmed names will automatically be denied based on federal and state discrimination laws, bills, or acts. Individuals are limited to one request per academic year. Cerro Coso College reserves the right to remove any affirmed name that is deemed inappropriate.

The affirmed first name provided will be the default name displayed on course rosters in Canvas and in many staff- and faculty-facing systems. The student’s legal name may still be displayed to staff/faculty or in cases where the legal name is required by law or for reporting purposes (e.g., official transcripts, financial aid, etc.). The affirmed first name provided will not affect student or employment records for those who are also KCCD employees. Changing your affirmed name is not the same as legally changing your name. If you have a legal name change, please contact Admissions & Records or the Human Resources Department.

Legal and affirmed first names will be displayed in the following places:

(*) Students have the option to choose which name appears.

FERPA Notice

Under FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a student’s name may be disclosed to the public as “directory information” unless the student opts not to permit such disclosure. The affirmed name will be priority disclosed to students who have selected an affirmed name. To revoke the college’s disclosure of directory information, a student has the option of requesting privacy through the Admissions & Records office. For more information on directory information and how to restrict disclosure, contact Admissions & Records at cc_ar@cerrocoso.edu.  

International Students

For students on an F-1 visa, the I-20 may list both affirmed and legal names. Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records will continue to include the legal name as indicated on the passport. Students must disclose their affirmed name in all immigration and visa applications if it has been used officially at Cerro Coso College.

Official Email Name Change

It is important to note that a college name change will not change your Cerro Coso College email username until appropriate paperwork and submission have been completed by the Admissions & Records office. If you wish to update to an affirmed name, please click the link above to submit the request form. Once the name change has been processed, the Admissions & Records office will submit a Help Desk Ticket to update your student email address.

Legal Name Change at Cerro Coso College

All changes must be accompanied by applicable documentation, including but not limited to:

• Marriage license
• Driver’s license
• Court order
• Government-issued ID
• Passport

Name changes must be the full, legal name. Nicknames, abbreviations, or initials are not acceptable unless used as legal names or approved by the Admissions & Records office. For more information, please contact Admissions & Records at cc_ar@cerrocoso.edu.

Zoom Display Name/Pronouns Change

Customize your Zoom profile to include your name and pronouns and choose when to share them during a meeting or webinar.

1. Open the Zoom app and tap the Settings icon in the upper right corner.
2. Choose Profile and then select Edit Profile.
3. Click Edit next to your name.
4. Add your affirmed name and pronouns [e.g., Johnny Smith, (they/them)].

Also, you can add pronouns to your name in a meeting:

1. Right-click on your name.
2. Select Rename (Host must enable this feature.).
3. Enter a new screen name or pronoun and select OK.

Canvas Pronouns Change

Add your pronouns to your Canvas student account. The pronoun selection will appear after your name when enabled.

1. Open Canvas via InsideCC.
2. Click Account in the upper left corner, then click Settings.
3. Click Edit Settings on the right-hand side of the screen.
4. Select your pronouns in the drop-down menu.
5. Click Update Settings.

Please note, that students’ legal names are used for the Gradebook and Grades pages in Canvas. The Display Name, which will display the affirmed name is how others will see your name in Announcements, Conferences, Conversations, and Discussions.