Ntuk’s First Legislative Policy Proposal Takes An Important Step To Create an Inclusive Academic Environment for LGBTQ Students

On Wednesday, March 27th, the Long Beach Community College Board of Trustees voted to adopt a Preferred Name Policy for Long Beach City College. Spearheaded by District Trustee Uduak-Joe Ntuk, the policy will provide students with the opportunity to use their preferred first name for most college records including student IDs, class rosters, and email addresses. This proposal is the first legislative policy brought forward by Ntuk and enacted by the college board.

"I want to ensure that Long Beach City College is an all-inclusive academic environment where we respect everyone's background," said LBCCD Trustee Uduak-Joe Ntuk. "The Preferred First Name Policy is a step forward to ensure all students can openly express themselves free from discrimination. I want to thank my colleagues and staff for their support; in particular, I would like to thank Porter Gilbert for his leadership throughout this policy process. I'm so proud that more than 170 students have already signed up for this new campus service." 

The Preferred First Name policy follows the successful passage of the governing board resolution No. 091218A in October 2018 that sought commitment to begin a LGBTQ Safe Zone Ally Training for faculty and staff, provide gender-neutral restrooms on campus, implement a preferred name process allowing transgender and gender non-conforming students to be identified at LBCC by the name that matches their identity.

The resolution was presented to Porter Gilbert, the Executive Director of the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach. The Center is partnering with Long Beach City College to provide student resources and training for the campus community.