Chosen Name Policy

Many people use chosen names. Some choose to start using a different name as they find it easier to use a name that is common where they live. Others have multiple registered legal names and prefer to use only one of those names, start going by their second legal name instead of their first or a shortened version of a legal name. And some change their names to fit with their gender identity. If you want to alter the chosen name you registered at DEA for whatever reason, you can.

This policy came into effect in July 2023 and will be reviewed after three months.

Quick Tips

→How do I alter my chosen name?

Students

1 – Change your chosen name in your Studielink account under the tab ‘Details’.

2 – Drop by Student Administration to alter your name in Osiris. This alters your name in Microsoft Teams, and your email address, and you can request a new student ID (with a new photo). Or fill in this form.

Student administration informs ICT to request a change in your email address. After your name is changed in Osiris, your name will visibly change in your email account and Teams.

The change in email address will generally take less than five working days but may take longer in case of holidays or illness. Access to old emails remains, and emails sent to the previous email address will still be received.

During the initial three-month trial period for this new policy, the new student card will be free in exchange for the old card. After the trial period, it will be decided if this remains free or will cost €15 as usual.

Student cards will not be available for free for other reasons that a new student card may be required, such as loss or damage. The new student card will be available within a maximum of five working days.

3 – Inform your tutors, or contact the student counsellors or the Bachelor or Master desk for support in informing your tutors. Your new chosen name is automatically included in student lists sent out to tutors at the beginning of each term.

4 – Contact the Communications, Presentations and PR department if your old name appears anywhere on the website and you would like it altered.

Employees

1 – Change your name in AFAS and indicate which name option you would like for an email address.
HR will inform ICT to request a change in your email address.

The change in email address will generally take less than five working days but may take longer in case of holidays or illness. Access to old emails remains, and emails sent to the previous address will still be received.

2 – If needed new stickers for your employee card can be made at reception.

3 – Contact the Communications, Presentations and PR if your old name appears anywhere on the website and you would like it altered.

Freelancers

1 – Change your name in Outside.

2 – Email or drop by HR to request a change in email address.

3 – If needed, new stickers for your employee card can be made at reception.

4 – Contact the Communications, Presentations and PR if your old name appears anywhere on the website and you would like it altered.

Alumni

Update your contact details by emailing alumni@designacademy.nl Please indicate if your name is included somewhere on the DAE website and should be altered.

→Where will my chosen name or legal name be used?

Your chosen name will be used in all unofficial internal communication. International and Dutch law requires using legal first names in official documents. Therefore, the legal name remains in use on all official documents (including diplomas).

It is impossible for DAE to allow changes to legal names within the DAE administrative systems unless a legal name change has occurred. To alter a registered legal name change, register your name change with your municipality and contact Student Administration.

Only citizens can change legal names in the Netherlands. Some countries have simplified administrative processes to change legal names. In some other countries, adjusting legal names is difficult or even impossible.

→How often can I alter my chosen name?

Chosen names can be altered multiple times; DAE understands selecting a new name can be a process.

However, in the event that Student Administration or HR suspects that a person is requesting multiple alterations in chosen name in bad faith, they may refuse and refer to either the diversity and inclusion officer, or the care team, before allowing or disallowing further changes.

→Are there limitations?

We assume anyone desiring an alteration in their chosen name does so from a personal conviction and after careful consideration. However, there are limitations to chosen first names, namely: offensive terms, slurs, and terminology violating the Code of Conduct are prohibited.

A chosen name may be comprised of only alphabetical characters, a hyphen (-), an apostrophe (’), and a space.

A common concern is the potential for fraud if an unofficial chosen first name is permitted to be adjusted. Research has shown that more extensive changes in legal name and gender marker do not cause these issues.

→What are the implications of allowing alterations in chosen names?

Allowing alterations in chosen names is in line with DAE’s organisational values and the school’s Code of Conduct We expect all within the DAE community to make a good faith effort to address everyone with the name they choose to go by.

→I have a recommendation or complaint

This policy will be reviewed three months after it has been announced. If you have suggestions, experience issues, or are dissatisfied with the process, please contact Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Leigh Tukker at leigh.tukker@designacademy.nl

→What about gender registration and pronouns?

DAE student administration and HR include the legal gender registration following the Dutch government, as this is a legal requirement. It is accessible only to those who need this information for work purposes.

DAE has the goal that all students, tutors and staff are addressed by their preferred pronouns as described in the Code of Conduct