IV. FERPA: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

Responsible for Maintenance: Director of Records & Registration

Please see Policy Manual for all policies and procedures pertaining to FERPA.

Preferred Name Policy

1. Policy Statement
   The purpose of this policy is to allow students at Richard Bland College to use names other than their legal name to identify themselves, regardless of whether they have legally changed their name. Richard Bland College may prohibit preferred name requests that are offensive, obscene, or deemed inappropriate.
2. Reasons for Policy
   Richard Bland College recognizes that some students prefer to identify themselves by a first name, middle name, chosen name, or nickname other than their legal name. Richard Bland College will enable students to use a “preferred first name” where possible during college business.
3. Application of the Policy
   This policy applies to all students at Richard Bland College.
4. Procedures

Students that would like to use a preferred name must complete a Preferred Name Form. A student’s preferred name is updated in Richard Bland College information systems where possible. A Student’s legal name will be used in specific records such as: Academic Transcripts, diplomas, Financial Aid, Tax documents and other college documents that are mandated to do so. Students that wish to change their legal name must complete the Student Information Update Form and must provide documentation specified in the form.