At the heart of every university lies a safe space for all students. For many students and staff across all CUNY schools, a name they go by is more than a label – it is who they are.

Recently, an email was sent to all CUNY students to bring attention to efforts catered to enhance the use of preferred names. This is a crucial step to honor all identities, but this policy has yet to reach its full potential.

CUNY’s recent steps to recognize all identities and enforce preferred names across all platforms is not a revolutionary act, but an overdue one.

These updates respect both staff and students’ identities, and universities can foster safe and inclusive learning environments for everyone. The ability to use a preferred name can empower individuals and make people feel seen and respected.

While these new changes may represent progress in our educational systems, they also pose a pressing question: what took so long?

As the largest university system in the country – one that serves a diverse student population – CUNY should have had these enhancements years ago.

When it comes to diversity and inclusivity, this delay insinuates bigger issues at hand. 

For students who waited for years, they’ve had to navigate official documents, lecture halls and online systems, all while feeling misrepresented and even disrespected by who they are. Though this harm can never be erased, this move is a step in the right direction.

Onward, CUNY must ensure that all faculty and staff receive training to guarantee all preferred names are used with respect.

Preferred names must be reflected everywhere – this includes school email addresses, ID cards, diplomas and all kinds of virtual campus portals. Additionally, students and faculty need readily available and transparent instructions on how to navigate changing their name in college systems without unnecessary barriers.

This system will not be implemented overnight; this is a persistent commitment to making all CUNY schools inclusive spaces. 

Affirming and using a person’s preferred name is a basic form of respect. Preferred name enhancements is not just a policy; it is a practice.