Affirmed Name, Pronouns, and Gender Identity

Guidelines for Affirmed Name, Pronouns, and Gender Identity

Recognizing that many students use a name, pronoun(s), and/or gender identity other than their legal ones, Columbia College offers the option of selecting a chosen name, pronoun, and/or gender identity within many of our systems. Columbia College extends this service in order to help foster a more welcoming, supportive, and respectful campus climate for all students.

The affirmed first name is not a legal name change. Students who are legally changing their name should complete the Personal Information Update form on the Student Forms page.
Inappropriate use of an affirmed name, including, but not limited to, misrepresentation or attempting to avoid a legal obligation, may be cause for denying a student’s use of the name.
The affirmed name will appear in many college internal locations, including your student email will change- see below for details on all name change locations.

How to update your Affirmed Name, Preferred Pronouns, and/or Gender Identity

Log into ConnectColumbia with your YCCD (yosemite.edu) student email and password.
From the Main Menu, select the "Update Contact Information" link (under the User Account heading on the left side of menu).
Select "Edit Personal Identity" button.
Save your updates. (additional changes can be made at any time, but a new email/log-in name will be issued EACH time the first name is changed). All of your email content and history will remain the same regardless of the name change.

All Student Services staff are able to assist students with this process as needed. Please see below for additional resources and support.

Changes may take up to 72 business hours to take effect. Contact the YCCD IT Service desk staff if you have technology related questions.

IT Service Desk:
itservicedesk@yosemite.edu
209-575-7800 (staff)
209-575-7900 (student)

Affirmed Name / Pronouns will appear:

Self-Service (ConnectColumbia/PiratesNet)
Official and unofficial transcripts
Class rosters
Student email (the first name of the email address will be updated to reflect the new Chosen Name; inbox and all emails will remain)
*Student ID Cards
Starfish
Canvas
Degree and Certificates
SARS
Library
*Orientation/Comevo
Student Worker Name Tags
Student Uniforms required for courses or employment

*IT is currently working on updating processes for Student ID cards. We thank you for your understanding while we work to update all student facing systems.

Legal Name will appear:

Financial Aid and Billing Records and Communication
Paychecks & Paystubs
Tax Records
Medical records
Law enforcement records

Know your Resources and Rights

Students have a right to file a grievance if they feel they are experiencing harassment or discrimination. Refer to the following policies related to student rights, standards for conduct, and navigating the complaint process.

Columbia College Student Complaint Procedures and Information

YCCD Policy 5530 Student Rights and Grievances

YCCD Policy 5500 Standards of Student Conduct

LGBTQ+ Student Support

Students that would like to connect with campus support for the LGBTQ+ community can contact the Columbia College State liaison for LGBTQ+ students, Anneka Rogers Whitmer, at 209-588-5145 or rogersa@yosemite.edu. or ccpride@yosemite.edu (This general email is a confidential email available to ask questions, gain support and resources, or submit ideas on how to best serve our community.)

All LGBTQIA and allies are encouraged to connect to community throughout our campus and we welcome your input and feedback through our DEIA and Cultural Enrichment standing shared governance committees.

The GSA- Gender & Sexuality Alliance, student-run club, can be accessed through our ASCC Clubs page link HERE .

Mental Health Services and Wellness Center is available for personalized support at 209-588-5283 or 209-588-5346.

Last Updated: 07/29/2024