Implementation of the Chosen Name Initiative

June 14, 2022

Members of the Rutgers Community:

In recognition that some individuals use first names other than their legal names in the course of their daily life at Rutgers, I am pleased to announce that we are taking steps to enable students, faculty, and staff to use their chosen or preferred name in university communications.

A chosen or preferred name is one that a person wishes to be known by within the Rutgers community that differs from their legal name. It includes using a nickname or shorter version of a given name, a middle name instead of a first name, or first and middle initials. A chosen or preferred name may also be associated with a gender transition.

Faculty and staff will be able to designate their chosen or preferred name as of September 1 through University Human Resources. Students are already able to do so by contacting the Registrar’s Office. Note that in certain circumstances, a legal name may be required because of a university business or legal need. Visit this page on the Rutgers University Equity and Inclusion website for more information.

As we make this option available, I would like to acknowledge the efforts of those faculty members who prompted this institutional change. My thanks as well to our faculty union partners for bringing this to my attention and their participation in helping to establish this new practice.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Holloway
President and University Professor