“An inclusive blue begins with you.” The message is front and center on the University Office for Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) home page and, earlier this summer, as part of this larger diversity and inclusiveness initiative, ConnectCarolina added a new page to give students the option to designate preferred pronouns and preferred gender identity (Personal Information tile > Pronouns/Gender Identity).
Right now, the information is only available on the Pronoun/Gender Identity page in ConnectCarolina, but in the coming months, you’ll see the preferred pronouns displayed alongside preferred names in other locations. The Office of the University Registrar (OUR) is working with students and campus partners to define other areas where this information will appear.
Peoplesoft, the software system that ConnectCarolina is built on, does not offer the Preferred Pronoun/Gender Identity option in the HR/Payroll system for employees, but we continue to advocate for it and will enable it once it’s available.
“The use of Preferred Gender/Pronoun is a small step toward inclusion on our campus and it further supports the guiding principles for the Registrar, ITS, Student Affairs and the University. This is the first step in what we hope will be many phases of improved recognition and acknowledgment of all members of our campus community.” Chris Williams, Student Affairs IT Director
Click here to read the University’s Policy on Gender-Inclusive Language.