Pitzer College Transgender & Non-Binary Student Support

Navigating Name and/or Pronoun Changes

Pitzer College recognizes that transgender, non-binary, gender nonconforming, gender-queer, and other LGBTQIA+ students may not use the name that they were assigned at birth, as it does not reflect their identity and how they wish to be called. We also recognize that for a variety of reasons students may not wish to go through a legal name change or may be in the middle of doing so, but wish to have their records reflect their chosen name before the process is complete. Please see below for details on navigating this process. If you are more comfortable or for accessibility purposes would benefit from connecting in-person about this process, please reach out to registrar@pitzer.edu. 
 

Chosen Name

“Chosen name” refers to the name you prefer to be called. Your name of record at Pitzer College is your legal name, although we recognize that your chosen name may not be your legal name. The link to this form is located to the right. 

If you declare a chosen name the following actions will be set into place:
The Registrar’s Office will add your chosen name to the student information system. Your chosen name will appear on the MyCampus2 Portal, Canvas, & Sakai platforms.

• Your chosen name will be added, to the extent possible, to lists and rosters that are generated and distributed internally, including faculty class lists and advisee rosters. Note that there are numerous databases used at the Claremont Colleges and there is no guarantee that all communications will reflect your chosen name, and in some cases your legal name of record will also be included on them.

The Registrar’s Office will communicate your request to the Information Technology Office and other administrative offices.  If you’ve so selected, your email accountwill be updated to reflect your chosen name. Updates in the various systems typically take up to two weeks to process. Aliases in the standard formats (username@students.pitzer.edu, first_last@pitzer.edu) will be added to our email system to reflect your chosen name. The current aliases will be maintained so there is no interruption in mail to you. Your display name will be updated as well. Note that chosen names are limited to alphabetical characters, hyphen (-), and space. Pitzer College reserves the right to delete a chosen name if it is used inappropriately, such as misrepresentation or fraud.

If desired, you may obtain a campus ID card with your chosen name. The Registrar’s Office will communicate your request to the Claremont Connection office.

Important warnings and considerations:
When you submit the chosen name request form, the inclusion of your chosen name will remain in effect until you request otherwise. Please remember changes may take up to two weeks to process. 

Because your legal name is a permanent element of your college record and held by many offices, there may be occasions when faculty, staff, or other individuals use your legal name instead of your chosen name. There are also purposes for which only legal names are used, such as academic transcripts and documents related to Student Accounts and Financial Aid. Other examples include surveys, reports, and ad hoc rosters. Every effort will be made to minimize such exceptions.

Click here to view the Chosen vs. Legal Name Usage Chart

Queer Resource Center Support with Chosen Name
The Queer Resource Center (QRC) can provide support in navigating changing your name at your College at the Claremont Colleges and/or gender marker. Please note there may be limitations depending on legal gender marker or name changes. The Center also offers support on legal name or gender marker changes. For questions or scheduling a meeting regarding this, please email qrc@claremont.edu.

Chosen Name on Diplomas & Transcripts
Pitzer allows for a student’s chosen name to be used for the diploma. To start a name change process for a diploma, please go to the Registrar’s office and inform them that you would like your chosen name on your diploma. At your request, the Registrar will also use your chosen name in the printed program for graduation.

Legal names are used for transcripts. To update the name on your transcript, please provide the Registrar’s Office with a legal valid ID with your chosen name. Any legal and valid ID can be used to update this information.

At commencement, students can request to be called their chosen name or their legal name. We understand that with family present, students who may use a chosen name at school would prefer a different name to be declared as they are given their diploma on stage. Please contact Alicia, the commencement coordinator, if you are unsure which name will be called at commencement. All students will have a name on their seat at rehearsal which will double check their name and spelling before roll call.

For more assistance with Chosen Name on Diplomas & Transcripts contact registrar@pitzer.edu or osastudent@pitzer.edu. 

Updating Pronouns
Pronouns are linguistic tools that we use to refer to people.  (i.e. they/them/theirs, she/her/hers, he/him/his). We believe that it is important to give people the opportunity to state the pronoun that is correct to use when referring to them.

Pronouns are integral to who we are, and we share pronouns because we want to avoid assuming someone's pronouns based on factors like appearance. By sharing our own pronouns routinely, we encourage others to do the same and demonstrate that we understand the importance of sharing pronouns. Using someone’s correct pronouns is an important way of affirming someone’s identity and is a fundamental step in being an ally.

Common pronouns include she/her/hers, he/him/his, and they/them/theirs. There are other nonbinary pronouns. It is important to ask people what their pronouns are. If you have questions, politely ask the person if they feel comfortable giving examples of how to use those pronouns.

Try to avoid using the phrases “preferred pronouns” or “preferred name” as these suggest an element of flexibility or that someone’s identity is less than valid. Someone’s name and pronouns are not suggestions and are not preferred over something else. They are inherent to who we are.

To update pronouns, log into your student portal and click on the Student Tab. Once there, you will be able to update pronouns.

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Navigating Housing as a Transgender or Non-Binary Student

Residence Life works to affirm the gender identity of all students. Residence Life recognizes and respects the stated gender of a student. Every attempt is made to match students to housing that fits their unique and individual needs related to their personal gender identity and expression.

All housing options at Pitzer College are suite-style. Students participating in housing selection are offered the opportunity to choose their suitemates and roommates, either by requesting specific individuals or filling out the Roommate Matching Profile. There are no restrictions based on gender in terms of students choosing their suitemates or roommates. Students may indicate their gender preferences in their Roommate Matching Profile in their student portal to assist in searching for LGBTQIA-Identified suitemates and roommates. 

Community Support for Transgender and Non-Binary Students

The Queer Resource Center (QRC) is a 7-college resource center serving the LGBTQIA+ (i.e., lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual/agender) communities, as well as allies, at The Claremont Colleges. The mission of the QRC is to empower each LGBTQIA+ person to have a positive college experience, grow as a self-aware individual and be a responsible community member. The QRC provides support, resources, leadership development, and an inclusive and welcoming space for all members of The Claremont Colleges to explore topics related to diverse sexual and gender identities.

The Queer, Trans, Plus Student Alliance strives to create an open and inclusive safe space on Pitzer’s campus for those who identify as Queer, Questioning, and Trans students from the LBGTQIA+ community in our search for liberation. As a student organization, they  hope to nurture, unite, and strengthen the bonds among individuals within Pitzer’s queer, questioning, and trans community, past and present, through community building, programming, and campus-wide recognition. 
 

Gender Affirming Healthcare at the Claremont Colleges

Student Health Services offers students the ability to begin Hormone Replacement Therapy or continue coverage for students enrolled and taking classes at the 5 undergraduate institutions (Scripps College, Pitzer College, Claremont McKenna College, Harvey Mudd College, and Pomona College), which you can learn more about Gender Affirming Care. 

In addition, Student Health Services offers a range of sexual and reproductive health services including PEP and PrEP medications. Student Health Services also offers discreet HIV and pregnancy testing outside your medical record. Regardless of the results, resources are provided as part of your visit. View the presentation. 

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Mental Health Care for Transgender and Nonbinary Students at Pitzer College

We understand that transgender and non-binary individuals often face unique challenges when navigating a new environment like college. In addition to that, transgender and non-binary students often face more mental health challenges than their peers due to various factors such as discrimination, social stigma, lack of understanding, and difficulties accessing affirming healthcare. There are several avenues of support for our students, please explore below to see more about these opinions.

Mental Health Case Management

The primary mission of Pitzer College’s case management team is to assist students in achieving a balance of their overall well-being and academic success. Case management is committed to collaborating with Pitzer’s diverse community to ensure that all aspects of campus life- learning, working, and living are accessible to all students. Case management provides resources, advocacy, programming, collaboration, outreach and direct services to facilitate academic success, create inclusive environments, wellness and achieve access and equity. 

Strive2Thrive & Mental Health Ambassadors

Strive2Thrive is a Pitzer College mental health and wellness campaign focused on increasing awareness, education, and support by engaging students in the ongoing conversation of self-care, wellness, stress management and other important topics to empower students to take care of themselves in proactive, meaningful ways. We do this through outreach, events, workshops, drop-in support and Mental Health and Wellness Ambassador programming. 

We know that sometimes talking to a peer feels more comfortable and it is a great stepping stone for receiving support. Strive2Thrive mental health ambassadors are students who work closely with the Health and Wellness Outreach Facilitator, for programming and running our drop-in hours.

Drop in hours are hosted throughout the week and are a time that any students can come to talk to a trained peer listener in private. Please note that anything that is discuss that indicates more comprehensive clinical care is needed, including topics of harm to oneself or other, does need to be discussed with the supervisor to follow up with the student.

Mounsour Counseling and Psychological Services (MCAPS)

Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services is available and accessible for students at the 5 undergraduate institutions (Scripps College, Pitzer College, Claremont McKenna College, Harvey Mudd College, and Pomona College) at the Claremont Colleges, which you can learn more about Gender Affirming Care There is a list of MCAPS staff who provide gender affirming counseling, are able to write letters for gender affirming healthcare for patients.

Queer Resource Center (QRC)

Confidential Support: The Assistant Dean & Director of the Queer Resource Center serves as an institutional confidential support for all students at the seven Claremont Colleges. They can meet with students impacted by sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, or stalking to provide care and support, provide information about resources/options available, and help navigate on- and off-campus resources. See the QRC Resources and Services page for more information.

Gender Affirming Mental Health Care (Local)

Referrals: The staff of the Queer Resource Center are connected to many departments, organizations, and people across the Colleges and can refer LGBTQ community members if needed. The QRC staff are also knowledgeable about local, regional, and national LGBTQ resources, including non-profits, health services, and community LGBTQ centers throughout Southern California. If you are looking for a referral or more information, please email qrc@claremont.edu.

Resources for Survivors of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and/or Intimate Partner Violence

We understand that transgender and non-binary individuals are at higher risk of experiencing SA/DV/IPV and it is crucial that students know the multitude of options for support in case this is ever needed.

Confidential Support: The EmPOWER Center aims to create a culture where all members of The Claremont Colleges respect and look out for each other, and where students impacted by sexual violence, dating/domestic violence, and stalking receive holistic support and care.  As the Violence Prevention and Advocacy Center of The Claremont Colleges, the Center works collaboratively to support 7C-wide educational programs and provide holistic, confidential support to all students impacted in any way by sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating/domestic violence, or stalking. 
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The EmPOWER Center welcomes all gender identities and expressions, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, ethnic and racial identities, religious affiliations, cultural identities, and immigration statuses, an open and affirming space for all.

The Chaplains

Confidential Support: The Chaplains serve as confidential spiritual counselors and provide ethical leadership to the seven schools of The Claremont Colleges
 

Pitzer Advocates for Survivors of Sexual Assault

Pitzer Advocates for Survivors of Sexual Assault is a student led organization that provides peer-to-peer confidential support to survivors of sexual assault and their allies. Advocates are committed to being trauma informed through an intersectional lens. They aim to continuously learn with the Pitzer community about the many intersections of trauma, identity, and lived-experience. Advocates students that are trained provide emotional support, give information on reporting options, and referrals to students at Pitzer College.

Please note: Advocates are confidential with limits, this means that if there are circumstances where topics are discussed that are “outside the scope” that require more intensive clinical care, they will refer a student to a clinical case manager at Pitzer College.