By: Reid Griffin, Contributing Writer
As a Catholic institution, Saint Leo University must defend an individual’s right to a preferred name.
Presently, the university requires students to use their legal name in all aspects of their campus life. While Saint Leo’s website states that a legal name is used on your transcript, student ID Card, and diploma, there is no option to use a preferred name elsewhere.
This means students who do not use their legal name are forced to appear on rosters, attend online classes, and send e-mails with the wrong name.
As per the University of South Florida’s policy 11-009, “Name for use on Official University Records,” students and faculty may change their legal name to a preferred name in their school system. USF’s Office of Registrar has a Change of Name Request Form in which students can petition for a name change without legally changing their name.
Other public institutions in Florida with clearly defined preferred name policies include the University of Florida, University of North Florida, University of Central Florida, Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, and New College of Florida. Several of these schools allow their students to change their preferred names themselves online.
This option is not limited to public universities—like their larger peers, the University of Miami and Flagler College have preferred name policies. For full transparency, UM lists where preferred first names are used, and where legal first names are used.
According to e-mails from the Saint Leo Registrar, a person named “Jeffrey” can be a “Jeff” and a “Christopher” can be a “Chris.” There are also disabled options to change your name in online portals. Saint Leo has the digital infrastructure to include preferred names, but they choose not to.
This is especially strange when you consider the Biblical precedent of names changing over time. Abram and Sarai become Abraham and Sarah. Jacob becomes Israel. Simon becomes Peter. Saul becomes Paul.
These name changes are integral to their identity and their relationship with God. To deny them their new names is to deny them their spiritual growth.
Catholic traditions are also saturated with meaningful name changes that still occur in our daily lives. The sacraments of baptism and confirmation and the processes of becoming a nun, monk, and even the pope all involve taking on a new name.
Saint Leo should be leading the charge on preferred name policies. Instead, our school has fallen behind.
Critics of this policy claim that the preferred name system can be abused. This argument fails to recognize that, if a name containing inappropriate language is requested, it can easily be denied. If a student requests a name that sounds like a joke, let them have their joke. You never know when a preferred name is important to someone, nor can you assume everyone is able to legally change their name during their time at Saint Leo. The entire student body should not be punished for the potential actions of a few.
When I received my acceptance letters, Flagler College addressed me with the preferred name in my application: Reid. Saint Leo never asked. While it is an honor and a privilege to be enrolled at this institution, there are days when I feel pangs of regret for not attending an institution that respects its students’ names.
If a Simon needs to be a Peter, let him. Jesus did.
