The State University of New York (SUNY) will require all of its 64 campuses to update their policies regarding chosen names and pronouns, according to an announcement this week from Gov. Kathy Hochul.
The policy change, directed by the SUNY Board of Trustees, will permit students to use their chosen names and pronouns on campus portals, class rosters, student email addresses, and more.
The effort is intended to ensure that all SUNY colleges maintain inclusive policies towards transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming students.
“Every person, regardless of their gender identity or the name they choose to go by, deserves to have identity documentation that reflects who they are,” Hochul stated in the announcement. “This historic change by the SUNY system is a victory in our ongoing fight to ensure that New York is a place of love and belonging. My administration remains committed to taking the steps necessary to ensure equality and respect for the LGBTQIA+ community.”
NEWS: Governor Hochul Announces #SUNY Chosen Name and Pronoun Policy to Create More Open and Accepting Environments on Campuses:
— SUNY – The State University of New York (@SUNY) June 8, 2022
The change comes during Pride Month and in the wake of Hochul’s recent announcement that New Yorkers can now select ‘X’ as their gender marker on their driver’s licenses. With the SUNY policy changes, students at the system’s colleges will also be able to choose ‘X’ when asked for their gender.
