by Riley Blankenship

For many trans students at Greensboro College, seeing their legal name instead of their preferred name on class rosters, email addresses, and school records is a daily frustration. While some colleges have implemented policies allowing students to update their names in internal systems, Greensboro College has yet to make this change. However, discussions are now taking place that could lead to a more inclusive policy

Currently, Greensboro College requires students to use their legal names in official records, including their Outlook email address, class rosters, and Empower page . While students can informally ask professors and peers to use their preferred name, the college’s systems do not always reflect their identity. This policy creates challenges for trans students, many of whom are forced to see and hear a name that does not align with who they are.

For trans students, being addressed by their legal name—often referred to as a “deadname”—can be distressing and even dysphoria-inducing. This can lead to professors and classmates unintentionally misgendering students, causing discomfort in academic and social settings. Beyond the classroom, students may also face challenges in professional and administrative settings, where their email address, or records display a name they no longer use. These factors contribute to stress, anxiety, and other mental health concerns that can impact students’ well-being and academic performance.

While Greensboro College has yet to implement a preferred name policy, other institutions—both public and private—have taken steps toward inclusivity. Larger universities in the area, such as UNC Greensboro and NC A&T, have introduced systems allowing students to update their preferred name in certain records without requiring a legal name change. Other private colleges have also moved toward similar policies. As a small, private institution, Greensboro College has the flexibility to establish its own policies without following the path of larger universities. The question now is whether it will take steps to better support its trans students.

In recent months, discussions about updating Greensboro College’s name policy have gained momentum. Currently, students are required to use their legal names in official records, including their email addresses. For many trans students, seeing their legal name in their email can be very distressing Advocates are now working toward a policy change that would allow students to update their email addresses to reflect their preferred names, creating a more supportive and inclusive environment.

The main challenge in implementing this change is updating the college’s IT systems to reflect students’ preferred names on email addresses, while maintaining legal names for official documentation. This policy shift is not only crucial for trans students but also for allies among the faculty. Professors who are supportive of their trans students often find it disheartening to see their students referred to by a legal name that doesn’t align with their gender identity. Changing email addresses to reflect a student’s preferred name would be a powerful, visible step in supporting trans students and creating a more inclusive environment.

The Collegian had the opportunity to speak with several key individuals, including Paula Wilder, Director of International Programs and an ally to trans students, along with campus leaders from the Title IX office, counseling services, and IT department. Their insights provide a clearer picture of the potential benefits and challenges associated with changing email addresses for trans students.

Paula Wilder shared her perspective on the current situation for trans students at Greensboro College, explaining that while the college’s Empower system allows for an Alias Name to be used as a preferred name, students’ email addresses still reflect their legal names, or “dead names,” on platforms like Microsoft Teams, Moodle, and in the directory. “Eliminating dead names would be liberating for the students since they would no longer have to explain why their email names don’t match their chosen name,” Wilder said. She added that she was initially unaware of the issue until she received an email from a student who had been emailing from an account under their legal name, despite being known by their chosen name. “I’ve been advocating for this change since October, and I believe it is a critical step toward providing support for our trans students,” she stated.

When asked about the timeline for implementing the proposed policy change, Wilder mentioned that while progress has been slow, she is optimistic that the college is moving forward. “I am hoping that everything will be in place by the start of the fall semester. Emily Scott has written a policy that has been reviewed by several people at the college, and I am hopeful that we’ll have a solution in place soon.”

In terms of how the process would work if the policy is updated, Wilder suggested a potential solution: a Microsoft form that students could fill out to request the change. This form would also inform students that their preferred name change could be communicated to their home address or parents’ email, although she hopes to work out a way to prevent this once the system is in place. “My form was just a draft to help initiate action and provide something concrete for trans students now,” Wilder explained.

The Collegian had the opportunity to speak with Emily Scott, the Title IX Coordinator, to gather insight on the role of Title IX protections in advocating for this change. According to Emily Scott, Greensboro College’s Title IX Coordinator, the office has been collaborating with multiple departments to develop a name-change policy for all students and employees. “Title IX does not specifically address transgender students, but it does protect all students and employees from discrimination,” Scott explained. She emphasized that Greensboro College is committed to the spirit of Title IX, ensuring that every student has access to educational and extracurricular opportunities.

The Title IX office has been working diligently with several other offices on campus to develop a policy on name changes for all students and employees,” Scott stated. “This conversation includes IT, the Registrar, Human Resources, Residence Life, the Office of Inclusive Excellence, and Title IX

The Collegian spoke also spoke with Juliet Lowery, Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer of Greensboro College’s DEI program, about this situation: “The proposed policy changes to update email addresses for trans students is a step toward a more inclusive and supportive environment at Greensboro College. By aligning official records with students’ chosen names, the college can create a more respectful and empowering experience for trans students, helping them feel more comfortable and seen in all aspects of their academic journey.”

The support from faculty, staff, and student advocates demonstrates the strong commitment to making this change happen. However, the true success of the policy will depend on how well it is implemented and how the college addresses potential concerns along the way.

Ultimately, the change is not just about email addresses it’s about creating a campus culture where all students are recognized and respected for who they are. As Greensboro College moves forward with this change, it will be a step toward creating a safer, more inclusive environment for everyone.