United Graduate Workers petition for chosen name recognition and neutral gender markers

The University of New Mexico United Graduate Workers launched a petition on Nov. 20 that calls for UNM to update its systems to accurately reflect chosen names and gender markers for users.

According to the petition, components of the University system, including email accounts and the course registration website, are denying the ability for transgender students and workers to use their preferred names. According to the petition, this contradicts UNM’s Policy 2720, which prohibits discrimination based on gender and gender identity.

Currently, UNM offers students, faculty and staff members the ability to change names in Banner, Outlook and on LoboCards, according to UNM LGBTQ Resource Center Director Frankie Flores.

In 2019, New Mexico passed an act that allows for an “X” gender marker on vital records. The marker signifies that a person is a gender other than male or female, or an undesignated gender.

Max Pagano, a union area steward and graduate student, said UGW hopes that the University will incorporate this marker into its systems.

“We’re tired of our members and our coworkers and our students and our professors and our friends having to deal with this,” Pagano said.

Discussions with University representatives about these updates to the systems began during a labor management committee over a year ago and have been ongoing since then, Pagano said.

Ashley Bernardo, UGW communications chair and English doctoral candidate, said they feel that the lack of progress is frustrating. The union has not received specific updates, Bernardo said.

UNM is working with its IT team on these services, according to Cinnamon Blair, UNM Chief Marketing and Communications Officer. Blair directed students to FastInfo and the information page on Canvas for resources on displaying their preferred name in University systems.

The LGBTQ Resource Center has been working since 2013 to address issues around affirmed names and gender markers, according to Flores. They said that because the UNM banner system is binary, it poses more of a challenge for the gender neutral marker.

If students, faculty or staff members face issues regarding affirmed names, they can reach out to UNM Compliance, Ethics & Equal Opportunity. They can also reach out anonymously to LoboRespect, the LGBTQ Resource Center or the Women’s Resource Center.

Marcela Johnson is a beat reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be contacted at news@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo

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