Resources For Faculty

Please make your LGBTQ+ students feel welcomed and supported in your classes by including the following language in your syllabi. This language was approved by the Academic Senate in support of our LGBTQ+ students.

Language to add to your syllabus

Course Environment

I am determined to make this course as welcoming as possible. The goal is to create a course environment that supports the diversity of experiences and perspectives that you all bring to the classroom. An academic environment requires that we all demonstrate respect for the intersectional identities of everyone; this includes but is not limited to sex, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, nationality, immigration status, skin color, religion, ability, gender identity, gender expression, chosen name, pronouns, sexual preference, and sexual orientation. In this course, there is no room for racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, or any other form of prejudice or discrimination. Every effort will be made to ensure that I provide an equitable classroom where systemically marginalized voices are heard and privileged individuals learn how to be better allies. If you would like, please message me or talk with me during office hours to let me know if there is anything I can do to make our classroom environment a safe and comfortable place for you. If anything is ever said in our course that makes you feel uncomfortable and/or that shows disrespect for one of your identities, I encourage you to talk with me during office hours or send me a message through the Canvas Inbox so that I can address the situation.

LGBTQ+ Resources

Las Positas College has compiled a list of resources for LGBTQ+ students here:  LGBTQ+ Resources. Additionally, LGBTQ+ students may want to consider attending the LGBTQ+ Chill & Chat. Chill & Chat is a place to connect with other students, learn stress management skills, learn how to overcome life obstacles, and receive and give support. Please see the following link for details on how to join the meetings:  Chill & Chat.

Making Your Chosen Name Visible on Canvas and on Rosters

Students are entitled to use their chosen name on every College document, the only exception being their official transcript, which must bear their legal name. You do not need a court order, a doctor's note, or any documentation at all, in order to have your chosen name become the only name that any fellow student, or instructor, will ever see. Simply fill out the Personal Data Change Form, indicating your chosen name. Ignore the red-ink statement that says "Copy of government-issued ID or legal documentation must be attached;" this is only necessary if you want your official transcripts to bear your chosen name. You must provide a brief statement to Admissions and Records when you submit the Personal Data Change form, but you do NOT need to provide a reason for the requested change. For example: "Please update the computer system to replace my current name with my chosen name on all instructor rosters and in Canvas. I understand that official transcripts will continue to bear my legal name." Without legal documentation, you cannot change your last name. Only your first name can be changed, and your middle name can only be represented by a single initial. Without legal documentation, you cannot change your sex in the computer system. If and when you do acquire legal documentation, you can file the form again and have your full name and/or sex changed on all College documents. 

Making Your Pronouns Visible on Canvas

I encourage you to list your pronouns within Canvas. To do this, please follow the instructions at the following link:  How do I select personal pronouns in my user account as a student?

For more information please contact:

Irena Keller
ikeller@laspositascollege.edu