Pronoun Policy
Diversity, Equity, and InclusionEffective Date: 6/12/23
Supersedes: N/A
Issuing Authority: President and Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost
Responsible Officers: Chief Inclusion Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer, and Dean of Students/Senior Student Affairs Officer
Note: This policy was reviewed by IS, HR, Registrar’s Office, Chief Inclusion Officer, DEI Team, Technology Employee Work Group and Student Workgroup, Legal Affairs and members of the Provost Executive Team.
Background
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. As such, we ask that all community members appreciate and celebrate differences in others and contribute to a safe and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. An essential aspect of fostering an inclusive workplace and learning environment is using inclusive language that supports all members of the MCPHS community. Providing opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to express their identity supports MCPHS’s core values of diversity, inclusion, respect, authenticity and our strategic priorities for student, faculty, and staff success.
Statement of Policy
This policy provides students and employees the option to indicate their Pronouns in the University’s information systems. MCPHS acknowledges that Pronouns must be used wherever possible, and as such, Pronouns will be displayed in systems that allow for that form of identification. However, some MCPHS systems may not display an individual’s Pronouns due to design limitations. Read more information about Pronouns [PDF].
To Whom the Policy Applies
This policy applies to the entire campus community, including prospective and current students, faculty, and staff.
Procedures
Students
If you are a Student, proceed to Self-Service and update your User Profile. Students who are also employees should also follow the instructions for employees.
Employees
If you are an Employee, proceed to the Payroll website to obtain instructions on how to make the change in ADP WorkforceNow. Please know that employees have the ability to update ADP; however, the list to select from is limited.* Furthermore, the designation in ADP does not transfer to any other systems. Submit a ticket to the Help Desk to add your Pronouns to your Email Signature, Website Directory, Zoom, Student Success Hub, and Blackboard.
Within ADP, the Pronoun options are:
- She/Her/Hers
- He/Him/His
- They/Them/Theirs
- Ze/Zir/Zirs
- Prefer Not to Say
*At this time, the options are limited to what ADP allows. We will update this list as more options become available.
Requests for Pronoun changes are typically processed within 3-5 business days.
Definitions
Pronouns
As used in this policy, a Pronoun is a word used instead of a noun or a noun phrase to refer to individuals. Pronouns can be in the first person singular (I, me) or plural (we, us); second person singular or plural (you); and the third person singular (e.g., she/her, he/him, they/them, ze/hir, etc.) or plural (they/them). Pronouns allow us to know how someone identifies and we should not make assumptions based on appearance.
Exclusions
While there are some systems we cannot change currently, we will review this policy regularly and make updates when possible. Further, certain systems may not display an individual’s Pronouns due to design limitations.
Privacy
The University safeguards the privacy of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) of community members maintained in University records as required by applicable law. Unless otherwise required by law, only individuals with a legitimate educational or business interest will have access or be provided access to this information. Requests to access this information must be approved by the University Registrar (for students) or the Office of Human Resources (for employees).