On Wednesday, June 8th, Binghamton University, Broome Community College, and all SUNY schools were directed by the State University of New York Board of Trustees to update their policies regarding students' chosen name and pronouns to fully represent transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming students.

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According to a press release from Governor Kathy Hochul, all SUNY schools will require all campus operational systems to reflect a student's chosen name and pronouns, including on class rosters, email addresses, and diplomas among a multitude of other systems.

The press release also noted that giving students the ability to use a chosen name on campus records was rated by a 2018 study as one of the most important actions a school could take to create an inclusive campus climate.

Em Wasserman (they/them), a student at SUNY Empire State College, said "As someone who's struggled to feel affirmed with my legal name and pronouns displayed in every other aspect of my life, I'm so incredibly happy SUNY campuses are adopting a more inclusive policy."

This change is only the latest part in the SUNY College system's efforts to increase inclusion, diversity and equality at its schools. Schools were also previously directed to designate all single-occupancy bathrooms as gender neutral, another major action referenced in the 2018 study.

Deborah F. Stanley, the SUNY Interim Chancellor, stated that "An inclusive chosen name and pronoun policy doesn't only help students feel safer on campus - it is also a matter of respect. This is the next concrete step toward ensuring SUNY's current and future transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary students feel embraced and uplifted."

Implementation of the new policies is required by the beginning of the Fall 2023 school semester.

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