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Problem / Issue

Request from Citrus College - They'd like to re-examine the additional text in the Preferred Name section.  

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I think there are several problems with the note on preferred names. 

Note: Not all colleges may allow the use of preferred first names for academic purposes due to legal or technical restriction.

California has a common law right to the use of someone’s preferred name and this statement suggests colleges may choose to violate a person’s common law right to a preferred name.  I think a better statement would be to let students know to contact the college they are applying to in order to understand how the preferred name entered on CCCApply will be used.  It is better for CCCApply to stay neutral on this debate than to take a position that I don’t think is legally accurate. 

Our college was sent a cease and desist letter to use a student’s preferred name.  We got legal counsel opinion that told us to use the preferred name on rosters and communications to students but not on official documents such as diplomas and transcripts.  We were told to do so irregardless of technological challenges as otherwise we would be in violation of the right. 

Gerald Sequeira
Dean of Admissions & Records
Citrus College

• Below is the message that Gerald received from his staff member to alert him to the issue:

Proposed Solution

Discuss with Steering if the law has changed since this was implemented in September 2016.  See if Michael Q. can confirm the legalities around the use of Preferred Names at this time.

Notes

Supporting Documentation