Trans* Resources at UC Merced
Trans Resources
Best Practices for Gender Transition on Campus
The University of California, Merced is committed to providing a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for all members of its community. All University community members have the right to safely express their gender identity, to be judged based on their merit and ability, and to be free from discrimination and harassment. As part of our commitment to ensure the professional and academic success of all staff, faculty and students, the University has adopted these best practices as a resource for those who may be or are transgender, their colleagues, managers, friends and/or allies. These best practices are intended to assist any transgender individual, gender variant, gender nonconforming, individual, colleague, and/or ally members of the community with navigating through resources, policies and practices of the University during a gender transition, as well as to assist University community members in their efforts to support transgender community members.
Please click here to see the full pdf.
There are a number of resources available for the Transgender community at UC Merced and in the valley. Here is a short list to get your started:
- LGBTQ+ Initiatives
- CACQI
- Lambda Alliance
- Student Health Services
- Counseling and Psychological Services
UC MERCED NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY
Is gender identity a protected class under university policy?
Yes. The University of California, in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and University policy, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, medical condition (cancer-related), ancestry, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation or status as a Vietnam-era veteran or special disabled veteran. The University also prohibits sexual harassment. This nondiscrimination policy covers admission, access and treatment in University programs and activities. Inquiries regarding the University’s student related nondiscrimination policies may be directed to Student Conduct staff in the Office of Student Live, KL 184, 5200 N Lake Road, Merced, CA, 209.228.5433.
Title IX prohibits sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence, in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Inquiries regarding the application of Title IX may be directed to the Director of Compliance (Title XI/EEO/AA), or the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights at ocr@ed.gov. Students may grieve any action that they believe discriminates against them on the ground of race, color, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or age by contacting For more information, please visit: http://dsvp.ucmerced.edu/
To formally report discrimination/harassment, please visit http://dsvp.ucmerced.edu/report
Are gender identity and gender expression protected classes under UC Merced’s Nondiscrimination in Employment policy?
Yes. It is the policy of the University not to engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with the University of California on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or service in the uniformed services. This policy applies to all employment practices, including recruitment, selection, promotion, transfer, merit increase, salary, training and development, demotion, and separation. This policy is intended to be consistent with the provisions of applicable state and federal laws and University policies.
To read the full University of California Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy, please visit http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010391/PPSM-12.
For more information on employment protections, please visit Campus Human Resources.
The Gender Recognition Act (California Senate Bill 179) officially went into effect January 1, 2019. The bill streamlines the process for Californians to apply to change their gender markers, and creates a nonbinary gender category (the letter “x,” "n," or "nb") on California birth certificates, drivers’ licenses, identity cards, and gender-change court orders. This law provides an opportunity for our campus to update language and policies to be more inclusive of transgender, intersex, and nonbinary members of the UCR community.
Presidential Policy on Gender Recognition & Lived Name
President Drake released this policy in November 2020.
NAME CHANGE & PREFERRED NAME POLICIES
Legal Name Change Process for California
- Fill out court forms (Form NC-100, NC-110, NC-120, NC-130, and CM-010).
- Make at least two copies of all your forms.
- File your forms with the court clerk. You will need to pay a filing fee which may be different depending upon where you are filing. To find your local courthouse, visit http://www.courts.ca.gov/find-my-court.htm.Fee waivers are available: http://courts.ca.gov/documents/fw001.pdf You will be assigned a court date to appear before a judge.
- Merced County Fee: $435
- Publish the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (NC-120). This must be posted in a newspaper for four consecutive weeks before your court date. Ask your court for a list of approved publications. The cost of publication can vary greatly among the various approved newspapers, so be sure to check the prices before submitting Form NC-120 to the courthouse.
- Attend your court date. Bring a copy of Form NC-130 for the judge to sign, as well as proof that your Order to Show Cause was published in the newspaper.
- Get your Decree Changing Name from the Court. It is advisable to get at least one or two certified copies. You can use this to change your name on your birth certificate, Social Security card, and other government-issued identification.
Social Security
California Driver's License
California Birth Certificate After Legal Name Change
California Birth Certificate After Gender Reassignment
United States Passport
Legal Name Change Process for UC Merced
Students may request to change their name on official University records. The form is available at the Students First Center or by downloading here.
Legally recognized proof of the change of name will be required before the form is accepted and processed. Students planning to graduate should file this request along with their Graduation Application.
Preferred Name
Can I use a preferred first name/ last name? See
Yes. Any student at UC Merced may provide their preferred first name to the Office of the Registrar regardless of whether or not they have legally changed their name. Preferred name (when provided) appears on CatCourses class rosters that faculty use in conducting class activities and communication. It is also the name that will be displayed in the Commencement program. And, although email address will not be updated automatically, preferred name also appears as the display name on UC Merced email and the directory.
Will my preferred first name appear on all UC Merced records?
Not all. The preferred first name is used solely for UC Merced’s internal purposes and is currently only used in CatCourses. Student legal name will still be used for all official purposes, such as student accounts, financial aid, verifications, official transcripts, diplomas, and commencement.
Does a preferred first name affect my legal name?
No. An approved preferred name does not change a student’s legal name. Students may request to change their name on official University records. The form is available at the Students First Center or by downloading here.
Legally recognized proof of the change of name will be required before the form is accepted and processed. Students planning to graduate should file this request along with their Graduation Application.
CatCard
A Preferred Name change provides you the ability to reflect an online identify consistent with how you name yourself in the real world. A Preferred Name is not a legal name change and your legal name will remain on university documents that have legal standing. A Preferred Name is associated with your legal names in UC Merced System of Record. For questions about changing your name or photograph on yourCatCard, contact Angi Baxter. You can also access the steps to change your email through the Office of Information Technology here.
STUDENT RECORDS
Admissions Application
UC Merced students have the optional opportunity to disclose their sexual orientation and gender identity on their admissions application. The application reads: “Any information you provide in this section will be used for statistical analysis only. It will not be used in your admission evaluation and will have no bearing on your eligibility for admission. Providing this information is optional.”
Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Markers
GENDER INCLUSIVE HOUSING
Gender Inclusive Housing on Campus
UC Merced is committed to providing residence accommodation that is inclusive, safe and respectful of all residents regardless of gender identity and expression. The Gender Inclusive program is open to all housing applicants. The Gender Inclusive (GI) housing option was developed to provide a safe and inclusive environment for students regardless of their gender identity and allows students of all gender identities to live among each other in the same suite/room. Gender Inclusive rooms are provided on a first-come, first-served basis and all interested residents must be accepted into the program in order to receive a GI room assignment. Students who are interested in learning more about the GI housing option should contact Dallas Carter at dcarter@ucmerced.edu.
TRANS HEALTH & MEDICAL SERVICES
Transgendr Health Benefits (Faculty & Staff)
The University of California’s comprehensive medical benefits encompass the broad needs of our diverse workforce to keep our employees, retirees and their family members healthy. Nearly all of UC’s medical plans offer benefits for transgender health as highlighted in this fact sheet. For Trans* employees, here is a comparison of what is covered by each healthcare provider.
Suggested Best Practices for Supporting Trans* Students on Campus
