Media.www.MichiganDaily.com – By Katherine Mitchell, Daily Staff Reporter
Transgender activists hail decision on ‘preferred’ names
Sebasti?n Col?n, a graduate student in the School of Social Work, knows what’s in a name.
Col?n, a self-identified transgender student, goes by his male name rather than the female title on his Mcard, driver’s license and CTools account. Because he couldn’t get his name changed legally, Col?n has petitioned the University since 2005 to use his preferred name for University business.
Col?n is finally getting what he has been asking for.
The University announced Thursday that it will adopt a preferred name policy for students and faculty at all three of its campuses, allowing individuals to use their preferred name for class rosters, CTools accounts, MCards and almost anything else.
“The University is carrying through something that the community asked for,” Col?n said.