Roger Williams University has revealed its true colors. IT has been refusing to allow transgender students to have their chosen names reflected in their emails since they have ever started. One student who graduated in 2019 was able to gather an 'alias' email that had all mail forwarded to a new account for her chosen name. Ever since, the policy has become that the students in question must have a legal name change in order to get a new email - not an alias. a new one - created for them. 

This is an extremely problematic 'policy' for a number of reasons. This is transphobic and classist. Not every student has the money to have their name legally changed, nor the supporting family that comes with the process. It also allows for students to be 'outed' as trans, especially for those who have first names that first letter differ from their legal names.

Personally, I have been waiting for over two years to get my email changed to reflect who I am. Why is it that I am able to change my name on Bridges simply, but can't get an email to reflect that? They have shut out all of our allies in the staff, so it's time for the students to speak up.

Isn't college supposed to be the place where students find who they are? College is supposed to nourish growing minds, not shut them down just because they're new and different. 

We should make RWU change their policy for the better. Students should be allowed emails that match the name they wish to go by. This shouldn't be an argument. This should be provided.