Trans@UArts
- Trans* Awareness @ UArts
- Trans* Resources in Philadelphia
- More Information on Trans* Resources
Trans* Awareness @ UArts:
University of the Arts is committed to addressing the health and wellness needs of our transgender students. UArts Health Services and Counseling Center provide on-campus services and information about extensive off-campus resources that support the needs of students who identify as trans.
Transgender students, those who feel like their assigned sex at birth is an incorrect or incomplete description of themselves, may seek individual, customized care through referral to medical services off-campus.
Preferred Name Policy:
To support our students whose birth name and/or legal name does not reflect their gender identity and/or gender expression, UArts accepts requests from students to use a preferred first and/or middle name in UArts records. A student's preferred name can be used in UArts systems.
How to Use A Preferred Name at UArts:
You can submit a request for a Change of Preferred Name from your UArts portal. Below is useful information on how to go about doing a preferred name as stated in the catalogue.
Transgender, gender nonconforming, gender variant, and non-cisgender students who also have additional questions about designating a preferred name can contact the Registrar's Office (215-717-6420) and/or Office of Student Affairs (215-717-6617).
Preferred Name
The University recognizes that some students prefer to use a first name other than their official name of record to identify themselves. The University acknowledges that a preferred name can and should be used where possible so long as it is not for the purpose of misrepresentation. Any student may declare a preferred first name in addition to their official name of record. This policy applies only to first names, preferred surnames or family names cannot be declared. Preferred names are limited to alphabetical characters, a hyphen (-), and a space.
The University will attempt to display preferred first name to the University community where feasible and appropriate and make a good faith effort to update systems accordingly. Preferred names will be used on class rosters, commencement programs, e-mail alias, faculty grade rosters, the learning management system, library systems, the self-service student planning and advising tool, and the UArts student ID. The student’s official name of record will remain unchanged in all university-related systems and most reports.
Preferred names will not be used in cases where the official name of record is required, including, but not limited to diplomas, enrollment verifications, financial aid documents, medical records, paychecks, payroll records, and transcripts. Students who wish to change their official name of record must follow the Change of Name policy, submitting official documentation directly to the Office of the Registrar.
Students are only permitted to select one preferred name during their entire career at UArts. A student can return to their official name of record at any time.
To request a preferred name
- Submit a Change of Preferred Name form located on the Student Forms & Requests page on the UArts portal.
- Requests are typically processed within 5-10 business days. A request may be submitted at anytime. Students should when possible submit requests two weeks prior to the start of a term to ensure requests are processed before the term begins.
- Once a form has been processed an email confirmation will automatically be sent to the student.
Disclaimer: This policy does not form a contract of any kind and may be modified, changed, altered, or rescinded at the discretion of the University. The University reserves the right to deny or remove any preferred name for misuse, including but not limited to misrepresentation, attempting to avoid legal obligation, or the use of highly offensive or derogatory names, with or without notice. One replacement student ID will be produced at no charge for students who declare a preferred name.
Limits
Although UArts is committed to supporting transgender students, it is important to note that a preferred name is not a legal name change. Preferred first and/or middle names can be designated. UArts is not able to designate a preferred surname/last name without a legal name change.
Students interested in changing their name legally can find resources through local government or the Mazzoni Center in Philadelphia.
Preferred Name Policy FAQ
Can all UArts students request to change their designation from a birth name and/or legal name to a preferred name?
The Preferred Name Change process is available to transgender, gender nonconforming, gender variant, and non-cisgender individuals and only for first and/or middle names.
I would like to talk to someone about changing my name in UArts systems to my preferred name.
Please contact the Registrar’s Office or Student Affairs for assistance.
I am a student and made a legal name change. How do I communicate this legal name change to the University?
Legal names can be updated through the UArts Registrar.
TRANS Resources in Philadelphia:
Trans Medical Care
Mazzoni Center Trans*Care Services
transcare@mazzonicenter.org
215-563-0658
809 Locust Street, Philadelphia PA
Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medical Center is committed to providing compassionate and nonjudgmental health care to Philadelphia's diverse transgender community.
Offers the following services:
- hormone therapy and monitoring
- comprehensive services for trans and gender nonconfirming youth and their families
- laser hair removal
- referrals to specialty providers and community resources
- drop-in health clinic for youth 24 and under
- social workers on staff to help navigate and access available services
- HIV medical care
To schedule an appointment at the health center, create an account on their online patient portal.
Click here to download a pdf with information about their transgender health program and intake process.
See the Mazzoni Center's Transgender Resource Guide for more information.
P.A.C.T.S.: Pediatric Adolescent Comprehensive Transgender Services
Contact: Elaine Dutton
Mazzoni Center - TransCare Clinical Services Coordinator
215-563-0658 x 320
transcare@mazzonicenter.org
The P.A.C.T.S. program is Philadelphia’s only community-based program of its kind. It is client and family-centered care and offers treatment using an informed consent model. Collaboration is developed between Mazzoni Center staff and the child and family seeking care by assessing current knowledge and educating the client and family in treatment options and other medical issues surrounding the social & medical transition process. We collaborate with each patient & family system to form a comprehensive and individual treatment plan.
P.A.C.T.S. Team consists of highly skilled and specially trained medical providers, a trans* competent and experienced licensed social worker and RNs. Team members work collaboratively to meet the specific needs of the patient and their family members. The full range of health care services is offered to each patient. As a non-profit agency, Mazzoni is committed to ensuring that all families have access to quality care. We accept most insurances and have an affordable sliding scale. This makes previously unattainable family and community health care possible for many people.
Trans Counseling/Support Groups
Mazzoni Center's Open Door program offers individual and couples therapy and support groups (New Bois Club and Evolutions) for Trans, gender-variant and gender non-conforming individuals. Their therapists are experienced in working with issues relating to gender identity.
Evolutions - Trans Support Group
Phone: 215-563-0652 x509
21 S. 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
jgottlieb@mazzonicenter.org
More Information
A drop-in support group for anyone identifying along the transgender spectrum. Please join us for support and psycho-education surrounding issues of gender, such as gender identity, gender presentation, and coming out to friends and family. This group provides a positive and supportive environment for people to explore their own evolution, as well as offer their support to others. Evolutions meets every Thursday from 6:00PM to 7:00PM at Mazzoni Center.
Transway at the William Way Community Center
Phone: 215-732-2220
1315 Spruce St.
, Philadelphia, PA 19107
More Information
A weekly drop-in social group for Trans Women and Men. Light refreshments included and topics vary. Meeting every Thursdays from 7:00pm - 9:00pm.
Trans Legal Services
Mazzoni Center’s Legal Services Department provides direct legal representation, and also provides information, advice, and attorney referrals, in the following areas: legal name changes, gender marker changes, discrimination, family law, prisoners’ rights, and police misconduct.
See: Mazzoni's Name and Gender Change Guide
This kit is intended to provide all of the necessary details and current information required to change your name and gender on your identity documentation.
In Pennsylvania, you are required to petition a court for a legal name change before you can change your official identity documents. The process of petitioning a court has several steps and requires a number of different forms. If you have any questions about any steps in the process or need assistance completing any of the forms, please contact Mazzoni Center Legal Services at 1-866-LGBT-LAW (toll-free) or 1-215-563-0657 (local). We will be happy to help you!
Other Local Trans Resources
Trans* Wellness Project
Our Trans* Wellness Project is focused on meeting the self-identified needs of trans communities, using a holistic and multi-faceted approach. Through a team of peer outreach workers we connect with individual trans women through street outreach and education, providing one-on-one support, referrals, and information about our programs and services, along with other resources available to them in the Philadelphia area.
To learn more about the Trans Wellness Project, and our collaboration with Sisterly L.O.V.E. to offer leadership development, training, resources, and educational opportunities to trans women in the Philadelphia area, contact Lisa Phillips at: lphillips@mazzonicenter.org or 215-563-0652 x 232.
Philadelphia Trans Health Conference (PTHC)
A program of Mazzoni Center. This FREE conference offers three full days of workshops and activities focused on the health and well-being of transgender people and our communities.
Now in its 14th year, the conference draws a diverse group of over 3,500 people of many gender identities and expressions from across the country and around the globe. The event focuses on the specific issues, needs, and experiences of trans-identified individuals with regard to the health of body, mind, spirit, and community.
Renaissance Transgender Education Association
Phone: 610-975-9119
gpc@ren.org
More Information
A support and educational organization for transvestites, transsexuals, crossdressers, their families and friends. Holds meetings for transgender people, and those interested in these issues, at 7pm on the third Saturday of every month. Directions available on the website listed above.
TransYouth Family Allies
Phone: 888-IMA-TYFA (462-8932)
info@imatyfa.org
imatyfa.org
TYFA empowers children and families by partnering with educators, service providers and communities to develop supportive environments in which gender may be expressed and respected. We envision a society free of suicide and violence in which ALL children are respected and celebrated.