Pronoun Use and Gender Identity

Pronoun Use at Temple University Gender Identity at Temple University Use in Administrative Systems Frequently Asked Questions University Resources

Pronoun Use at Temple University

To foster diversity and create a sense of belonging for the Temple community, the university recognizes the importance of providing students, faculty, staff and alumni the option to indicate their pronouns in university systems. Pronouns enable community members to be reflected appropriately in university systems and help to ensure they are referred to appropriately by peers, instructors and administrators.

Beginning in the fall 2021 term, students, faculty, staff and alumni can update their pronouns in the Manage My Account section of TUportal. This function will allow students, faculty, staff and alumni to display pronouns in designated systems (see ‘Use in Administrative Systems’ section below for details).

Gender Identity at Temple University

Gender identity is defined as an individual's sense of self. The university recognizes that the gender of individuals may differ from their sex assigned at birth, and this can be indicated throughout university systems where appropriate.

Beginning in the fall 2021 term, members of the Temple community can update their gender identity with the university in the Manage My Account section of TUportal.

Use in Administrative Systems

Pronoun Information

Pronouns will be visible to everyone in the following university systems.

Cherry and White Directory
My Courses application in TUportal
Canvas learning management software
Internal University Housing and Residential Life systems

This list indicates areas where pronouns will be automatically populated from data entered into TUportal. To further an environment of inclusivity and respect surrounding pronoun use, individuals are encouraged to incorporate their pronouns in the following ways.

Zoom: It is common practice for individuals to include their pronouns next to their name in Zoom. To do this, click the three dots in the top right-hand corner of your Zoom square, click “rename” and add your pronouns in parentheses after your name [for example, Stella Owl (they/them)].
Email signatures: Individuals are welcomed and encouraged to use the below email signature template to incorporate their pronouns into their Temple email signature.
- Use the example below to update your email signature in Outlook.
  
  Stella T. Owl
  Pronouns: they/them
  Temple University's Live Mascot
  Temple University

Gender Information

Gender information will only be visible to the individuals themselves, as well as certain administrators with access to legal sex information in Self-service Banner and will not be visible in Cherry and White Directory, My Courses, or Canvas.

Presently, the university collects legal sex information in order to ensure we can verify your credentials when contacted by external agencies. These records include financial records, human resource records, library records, and educational history records such as transcripts and diplomas. An individual’s legal sex information, as well as gender information, is only visible in Self-service Banner to the individuals themselves and to administrators with query access to biographical information for regulatory reporting purposes, but not to instructors or peers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I required to provide my pronouns?

No one is required to enter pronouns in TUportal. If you do not input pronouns via TUportal, no pronouns will appear in the Cherry and White Directory or other university systems. Individuals of all gender identities are welcomed and encouraged to designate their pronouns to promote a culture of inclusivity and to help community members avoid making assumptions about others’ gender identities.

Am I required to provide my gender?

Can I make changes to my pronouns and/or gender in TUportal?

My pronouns and/or gender are not listed in the options provided in TUportal. What should I do?

Pronouns and gender category options in TUportal were chosen based on guidance from the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers as well as Temple’s Institutional Diversity, Equity, Advocacy and Leadership (IDEAL) on commonly used pronouns and gender identity categories.

That being said, implementing the use of pronouns and new gender identity categories in university systems will be a process that occurs over time. Presently, individuals whose pronouns or gender are not reflected in the provided options may answer: “these pronouns do not apply to me - please refer to me by my name only” (for pronouns) or “does not apply to me or I prefer not to share” (for gender). The implementation team will continuously assess the need for expanded categories based on demand and technical feasibility.