At Tulane University, we celebrate diversity and embrace the rich tapestry of our LGBTQIA+ community. This page is your gateway to a wide range of resources, support, and information created to foster an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.
The Chosen Name Project
The Chosen Name Project was created to address gaps in our technology-based platforms that currently do not support individuals with chosen names. Phase One of this project focuses on tackling foundational issues, including:
- Educating employees on updating their Chosen Name in the HR/Payroll system (students can do this through the Gibson portal).
- Integrating Chosen Name Data from HR into Banner.
- Extending Chosen Name integration from Banner to Canvas, Class Schedule, Blackboard Transact, and Grade Change systems (as already done for students).
- Implementing a mechanism to update email display names for employees and students who complete the Chosen Name form.
Our commitment to inclusivity extends to all members of the Tulane community, especially our trans and nonbinary members. While there's more work ahead, we are dedicated to fostering an environment that warmly embraces our LGBTQIA+ community.
How do I enter my chosen name into the HR/Payroll System?
Staff members have the ability to add their chosen name via EBS/Employee Self-Service. Please review the following instructions and contact the IT Service Desk at 504-988-8888 for technical issues, and reach out to hris@tulane.edu should you have any additional questions.
- Login to the EBS/Employee Self-Service portal,
- Select the Tulane Employee Self-Service link
- Select Personal Information.
- From there, click Update for the Basic Details section.
- Click Next to open the Update Information page
- Add your chosen name into the Preferred First Name field (see image below)
Additional Resources
Tulane University's LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Affinity Group is a voluntary and employee-led organization that fosters an inclusive and supportive environment for all LGBTQIA+ faculty and staff members. This group is committed to celebrating diversity, championing equality, and creating a welcoming space where everyone can be their authentic selves.
- To sign up for the LGBTQ+ Faculty and Staff Affinity Group listserv, please send an email to LGBTQFACSTAFF-L@listserv.tulane.edu
- To sign up for the LGBTQ+ Research Collective listserv, please send an email to LGBTQRESEARCHCOLLECTIVE-L@listserv.tulane.edu
For questions or information about this program, please contact the Program Coordinator, Colin Foret, at cforet1@tulane.edu.
Did you know?
The Pronouns feature for Zoom has been enabled for all Tulane users to add their pronouns directly to their Zoom profile.
How Does The Pronouns Feature Work?
This feature was designed to provide options for people to share more about themselves by allowing everyone to:
- Make your pronouns visible to your Zoom contacts as part of your Zoom profile card
- Choose when or if your pronouns show during a meeting that you host or join
For instructions on how to add or adjust your preferred pronouns, click here.
Want To Learn More About Chosen Name And Pronouns?
Pronouns are the words we use to refer to a person when not using their name – such as they, she, or he. He and she are examples of gendered pronouns, whereas they is an example of a gender-neutral pronoun, along with an entire array of other gender-neutral pronouns such as ze or ey.
Sharing your chosen name and pronouns is a means of telling others how you wish to be referred to. It is not a trend or a fad—it's who we are. And using someone's pronouns is more than common courtesy—it's a civil right. If someone asks you to use their chosen name and pronouns, they have likely put a lot of thought into it and trust you to respect that. Using pronouns for someone you have not used before may take practice and time. Practicing talking about the person in your head using the correct name and/or pronouns can be a helpful practice in ensuring you use a person’s correct name and pronouns moving forward.
If you use the wrong pronoun for someone, even if just by accident, that's known as misgendering—and this particularly affects transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals. People think long and hard about the pronouns that are most affirming for them, and respecting their pronouns means respecting that person and their identity. While it may take some getting used to if someone shares that they have new pronouns, it's essential to put in the extra effort to get it right moving forward to help that person feel comfortable, seen, and safe being themselves.
What If You Don't Know Someone's Pronouns?
Never assume—just ask if you're not sure. We can't assume we always know someone's gender or pronouns just from their name or appearance, so asking is the polite way to help everyone feel respected.
What Does Sharing Chosen Names and Pronouns Mean For Our Tulane Community?
The more we learn about psychological safety in the workplace, the more we can be sure it is critical to helping people feel comfortable taking risks, making mistakes, and being authentic. Sharing pronouns can help others feel more comfortable in doing the same, and demonstrating you're an ally can go a long way in helping people feel safe to be themselves in the work environment.
Building a greater understanding of gender identity and feelings of inclusion is all part of the work our community must continue to participate in to make Tulane a more inclusive and respectful place to learn, work, and grow together.
Explore our dedicated resources and services to support the LGBTQ+ community at Tulane. Campus Health is committed to providing high-quality, confidential healthcare services for all sexual orientations, romantic orientations, and gender identities. Learn more about how our team of healthcare professionals can meet your health and wellness needs.
Additionally, learn about Tulane University's Chosen Name & Pronoun policy, designed to create an inclusive and supportive environment for all community members. Click the link to review the policy and understand how it facilitates using chosen names and pronouns, helping us foster a more respectful and welcoming campus for everyone.
Explore this comprehensive guide created by GLSEN to promote the inclusive use of pronouns for all individuals. It's a valuable resource for learning, educating, and advocating within your school/work community. Access the guide to empower yourself with the knowledge of using correct pronouns effectively and inclusively.
Discover the findings of an important health and wellness study that sheds light on the positive impact of using chosen names for transgender individuals. Access the study and gain valuable insights into improving mental health and well-being.
