Preferred Name Policy

DCC recognizes that some members of our college community wish to use a first name other than a legal first name to identify themselves.

As long as the use of this different first name is not for the purpose of misrepresentation, the college will utilize the Preferred First Name for Blackboard, Starfish, Degree Works, your college email address and your student ID card.

Your legal first name will appear on all other College records and documents. A student's legal name will remain unchanged in all other College related systems. For more information email registrar@sunydutchess.edu.

Development to accommodate use of a preferred name in College systems is ongoing. Not all College information systems, databases, and processes may be able to display a preferred name and many uses of an individual's name require display of the legal name; therefore, individuals who utilize a preferred name should always be prepared to reference their legal name and provide corresponding identification when necessary. A preferred name designation is not a legal name change.