Student Services

Chosen Name

Jackson College is committed to creating inclusive and equitable classrooms, campuses, and communities. A core value of Jackson College is to demonstrate caring through attentive and responsive action based on the needs of students and others. To support this commitment, Jackson College recognizes that members of the JC community use a name other than their legal name to identify themselves. Therefore, students and employees will have the choice of selecting a chosen first and last name to be used instead of their legal first and last name.

The college acknowledges that this chosen name will be used to identify individuals within the college’s information systems. It is further understood the individual’s chosen name should be used in college communications and reporting, except where the use of the legal name is necessitated by college business or legal requirement.

• What is a Chosen Name?

  A chosen name is a first and last name that an individual chooses to use instead of legal first and last name. Individuals may opt to go by a chosen name that is different from their legal first and last name. An individual’s chosen name will be added to the college’s primary information system. Where possible chosen name will be used instead of legal name. However, college records and documents, such as financial aid and paychecks, which require the use of a legal name will not use your chosen name.

• How do I request a Chosen Name?

  Complete the Chosen Name Request Form using Script. Completed forms will be automatically routed to either Student Services (Students) or Human Resources (Employees) for processing.

• The College will not permit a chosen name under the following situations
  • If the chosen name contains symbols or characters which are not in the standard English 26-letter alphabet. Chosen names with punctuation are at the discretion of the College;
  • If the chosen name carries a connotation that is profane, obscene; is a swear word or depicts a swear word;
  • If it sexually explicit or graphic;
  • If it is excretory-related;
  • If it is used to describe intimate body parts or genitals;
  • If it is used to describe alcohol, alcohol use, drugs, drug use, or drug culture;
  • If it is used to describe illegal activities or illegal substances;
  • If it is used to describe or identify gang life or activities;
  • If it is used to substantially interfere with another individual’s identification;
  • If it is used to disparage or promote or condone hate or violence directed at any type of business, group, person, or persons;
  • If it represents a foreign word falling into any of these categories;
  • If it represents an actual or phonetic spelling of a word prohibited under any of these categories;
  • If it represents a standard, chat, or other abbreviation of a word prohibited under any of these categories;
  • If the number of characters in a chosen name exceeds 30 in the first or last name fields;
  • If it infringes on trademark or copyright law
• How do I formally change my Legal Name?

  Students requesting a legal name change should follow the instructions available on the update student information page.

  Employees requesting a legal name change should contact Human Resources at 517.796.8460.

• What to expect after requesting a Chosen Name?

  Once you have submitted the Chosen Name Request form, the request will be routed to Student Services (Students) or Human Resources (Employees) for processing. Your chosen name request will be reviewed and processed by the appropriate department within 3 business days. Next, you will receive an email from the Jackson College Solution Center with your new Jackson College username and email address. Please note your password will remain the same. Information Technology will process these requests on a weekly basis. Chosen name requests completed by Student Services or HR by 11 p.m. on Monday will be processed by Information Technology the next day.

Services that use Legal Name and/or Chosen Name