Chosen Name & Pronouns

Here you will find basic information regarding what chosen names and pronouns are, why we use them, and how to use them correctly and respectfully. If you have questions, please contact the Division of People, Culture and Belonging at people@kent.edu or 330-672-2442, or the LGBTQ+ Center at lgbtqsc@kent.edu or 330-672-8580.

Printable Version of Pronouns Page

How to Change Your Chosen Name

Creating and embracing an inclusive environment is important to the mission of Kent State University. We recognize that some students use a name other than their legal name to identify themselves. As such, Kent State University has established a process for students and faculty/staff to request a chosen name.

The individual’s chosen name will be used where ever possible in the course of University business. There are, however, places where the legal name will continue to be used for University business or legal needs. Those who use a chosen name should always be prepared to reference their legal name as well as provide their university identification when necessary. For students, chosen names will be used in on-campus communications, but will not be used in communications sent to your home address. For faculty/staff, Chosen names will be used in all communications that pull information from Flashline.

For students, this simple process is as follows: log into Flashline and in the left side tab, go to: Student > Resources > Requests and Authorizations > Chosen Name Request. Begin the process by logging into Flashline. You can also watch the embedded video below that walks you through the process.

For faculty and staff, the process is a little different. Please watch the embeded video below that will walk you through the process step by step.

If you have any questions please contact the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center at 330-672-6000.
Read more about this process.

What are pronouns?

Pronouns are a way people can refer to each other or themselves, when not using their name. We use them so we don't have to repeat a person's name over and over again in a sentence. It is important to note that anyone can use pronouns; it is not exclusive to only LGBTQ+ folks or specific gender identities

Example: "Hi, my name is Mark. My pronouns are they/them. How about you?" "Hello, my name is Gianna. My pronouns are she/they. Thank you for asking!"

How do you use pronouns?

Use someone's correct pronouns if you know them when referring to them.

"Graham had that class and they probably still have the book."
"Ken said he loved that restaurant!"

If you don't know someone's pronouns, you may:

Offer yours up first, ask and allow everyone to share theirs but not force it. Example: "Hey, my name is Erica. I use she/her. How about you?"
Use gender neutral pronouns like they/them
Use their name

If you make a mistake: apologize, correct yourself, and move on. Practice correct pronouns to avoid making mistakes in future interactions.

Common third person pronouns include:

She/her
He/him
They/them

*Please note that there are more pronouns than those listed above and that people may use multiple.

Neopronouns

Neopronouns are a category of new (neo) pronouns that are increasingly used in place of "she," "he," or "they" when referring to a person. Neopronouns can be used by anyone, though most often they are used by transgender, non-binary, and/or gender-nonconforming people.

Examples:

Spivak	Ey laughed	I called em	Eir shirt	That is eirs
Ze	Ze lauged	I called zem	Zir shirt	That is zirs
Ze/Hir	Ze laughed	I called hir	Hir shirt	That is hirs
Xe	Xe laughed	I called xem	Xyr shirt	That is xyrs
[Name]	[Name] lauged	I called [Name]	[Name]'s shirt	That is [Name]'s

Chosen Name & Pronouns

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