Trans Campus Resources

Locations of gender inclusive restrooms may be found on the Interactive Campus Map.

Choose the "Campus & Student Services" filter, then click the top option, "Gender Inclusive Bathrooms."

We understand the importance of using your preferred name, and we provide several ways to update your name in various systems and documents to reflect your identity. Whether for email, academic records or course materials, you have the ability to change your name to best reflect how you identify. See also legal name and gender marker change guidance.

Changing Your Name in Office 365 NIU Email

NIU's Office 365 email system allows students, faculty, and staff to change the name that appears in their email system to better reflect the name they use. Here's how you can update your display name:

1. Log into your email account via the NIU Office 365 login screen.
2. Once logged in, click the gear icon in the upper right-hand corner to open the settings menu. Select "Mail" from the dropdown.
3. In the "Mail" settings, click on the "General" tab on the left side of the screen.
4. Under the "General" tab, click "My account."
5. In the "My account" pane, you can update your "Display Name" to the name you go by. Please note that your "User ID" cannot be changed.
6. After making the changes, click "Save" to update your display name.
7. Changes may take up to 15 minutes to reflect in the system.

This guide allows you to personalize your email account to reflect your preferred name, helping ensure it matches your identity.

Sample Email to Professor Regarding Blackboard Name Change

Please fill in all information in [brackets] with your specific information. Then, copy and paste it into an email to your professors. Feel free to customize this outline to best suit your personal communication style.

Changing Your Preferred Name with Registration and Records

In addition to updating your name in your email and Blackboard account, you can also change your preferred name for most other university records through Registration and Records. This allows your preferred name to appear on documents like class rosters, transcripts and more. For more information, please visit the Registration and Records guidance, or refer to frequently asked questions (FAQ) for detailed instructions on how to make this update.

As faculty members, creating an inclusive classroom environment involves respecting students' names, pronouns and identities. Here are some important considerations:

Recommended Syllabus Statement

More to Consider in the Classroom

• Have students fill in their preferred name and pronouns on a blank roster during the first class. Avoid using the class roster to read off names, as this may inadvertently out a transgender or gender-diverse student.
• Be mindful not to assume gender based on appearance or photos.
• Avoid projecting class rosters, photos, or forms that display a student's legal name to the entire class.
• Gender identity is not the same as sexual orientation or sex assigned at birth—avoid assumptions.
• Treat information shared by students about their gender identity or other social identities as confidential. Don't expect them to educate the class about their identity.

Final Note on Pronoun Usage

Inviting students to share their pronouns helps create a safer, more respectful environment. For transgender, genderqueer or transitioning students, misuse of pronouns can be harmful. Students may use non-binary pronouns (e.g., they/them), or prefer to be referred to by their name alone. For more information on gender-neutral pronouns, check out our terminology list.