Chosen Name Request Form Information
College of the Desert students may have their chosen name appear on class rosters, as their display name within Canvas, and receive communications from the District addressed to their chosen name.
College of the Desert is required to use legal names on all legal documents. This includes but is not limited to; transcripts, degrees/certificates, billing, enrollment verification, or financial aid disbursements.
Updating My Chosen Name
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Canvas (Online)
- Students may add their chosen name through the Canvas portal. Chosen name and pronoun will reflect immediately. This information can only be viewed by Canvas users.
Canvas Instructions
Profile> Edit Profile
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Self-Service (Online)
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Students may add their chosen name through their student Self-Service portal. Chosen name and pronoun will reflect immediately.
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Self Service Instructions
User Options > User Profile > Edit Personal Identity
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Chosen Name Request (Online)
- Students may submit a request form to the Admissions & Records Office to add or update their chosen name. Requests may take up to 5 business days for processing.
Resources
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Advocacy Letter for Students
- Students may utilize the Advocacy Letter to notify their instructors about their chosen name and pronouns.
- Download Advocacy Letter (PDF)
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Gender and Sexual Diversity Pride Center
- The Gender and Sexual Diversity Pride Center (GSD Pride Center) provides support and resources to facilitate the success, learning, and achievement of College of the Desert’s LGBTQIA+ students.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Students interested in making a legal name change need to complete the Legal Name Change Form and submit the required documentation as shown on the form to the Admissions
and Records Office.
Your original COD student email address and Canvas login will remain the same.
Your Canvas display name can be updated using any of the following methods:
- Updating Chosen Name through the student Self-Service portal (link above)
- Updating Chosen Name through the electronic Admissions & Records form (link above)
Chosen name will not affect your financial aid status, but the financial aid application
must match the legal name as reflected on your social security card.
In an effort to build an inclusive environment for all students, all single-user restrooms
have been converted to gender-neutral restrooms for all College of the Desert campus
sites.
