Preferred Name & Pronoun Changes

To uphold employees’ rights to be recognized in accordance with their identity, the College provides a preferred first name and pronoun option on campus electronic platforms including Self-Service and Canvas. This is especially critical for transgender staff, who have the right to be identified in a way that affirms their gender without needing a legal name change. This practice also affirms the identities of staff who go by a middle name, nickname, or an alternate name.  

Ensuring accurate name and pronoun use reflects Napa Valley College’s commitment to inclusion, equity, and respect for all members of the campus community. 

Legal Name Changes in College Records 

Employees requesting a legal name change are directed to contact the Human Resources office. 

Conditions Associated with Name Changes  

College employees are free to determine the preferred name they want to be known by. This can be done by accessing the Self-Service portal, and on the Canvas Learning Management system. However, the following conditions apply: 

  • A preferred name should be the name an individual uses in social interactions and the name you want others to use when referring to you.  An individual may not use a preferred name for the purpose of fraud, misrepresentation, perpetration of another’s identity or to evade legal obligations.  Preferred names may not include profanity, vulgarity, discriminatory language, or sexually suggestive words.  NVC reserves the right to decline a request for a preferred name, including printing such on the official NVC ID Card if the name is deemed inappropriate.  
  • Establishing a preferred name does not automatically grant the right to put the name on the NVC ID card. Indicating a preferred name in Self Service will not automatically change the employee’s NVC email address.  

Changing your Preferred Name, Pronouns and Gender Identity through the Self-Service Portal 

For current employees, selecting your preferred name and preferred pronouns can be completed through your Self-Service portal by clicking on “User Profile.” 

Changing Name & Adding Pronouns in Zoom 

If you need to log into a Zoom meeting and need to change you name: 

  1.  Click “Participants.”  A list of the people in the meeting will pop up.
  2. Click on your name and select “More” and then “Rename.”  You can also include pronouns in the name when you rename yourself. 

Name Change for Future Zoom Meetings 

On a Computer 

  1.  Select “Profile” and then “Edit my Profile.”
  2. Click “Edit.”
  3. Change your “Display Name.”  You may also include pronouns in your display name.
  4. Click “Save.” 

On a Mobile Device 

  1.  Tap your name.
  2. Tap on the “Display Name.”  You may also include pronouns in your display name.
  3. Tap “Save.” 
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