NC State University is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive campus environment as a foundation for student success. As such, we recognize that a student’s sex assigned at birth, or the sex by which they are legally recognized, does not necessarily align with their gender identity or the pronouns they use to express themselves. The university acknowledges that a student’s personal pronouns and gender identity should be used wherever appropriate in the course of university business and education.

All students have the option to self-select their personal pronouns and gender identity in MyPack Portal. These fields are entirely optional and not required to update. If a student decides to select pronouns, this information will be visible administratively via class rosters, grade rosters and within the advising center.  Personal pronouns and gender identity may potentially be shared with authorized university officials, but are not considered directory information and will not be released to unauthorized third-party contacts. Parents or guardians granted access through MyPack Portal, as well as peer students, should not be able to view this information via their individual system access.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are personal pronouns?

Personal pronouns are pronouns individuals use to refer to themselves. In reference to an individual, it is respectful to use the pronoun with which they identify. Many people use he/him/his or she/her/hers pronouns, but there are many non-binary pronouns that people also use. For example, a transgender student may use ze/hir/hirs pronouns, rather than those socially or culturally associated with their sex assigned at birth. It’s useful for many people to share their pronouns, even if they use the pronouns socially or culturally associated with their sex assigned at birth. Sharing your pronouns potentially prevents the singling out of individuals using pronouns different than expected.

What is gender identity?

Someone’s gender identity represents an internal understanding of oneself or personal sense of one’s own gender, which may differ from their sex assigned at birth. For example, someone assigned female at birth may identify as a man (transgender man), someone assigned male at birth may identify as a man (cisgender man), someone assigned male at birth may identify as genderqueer (transgender, outside the binary of man and woman), etc. Gender identity is not determined by sex assigned at birth

What do the gender identity options mean?

Agender – a term used to describe the experience of one being without gender, outside the gender binary, rejecting the social construct of gender
Gender Fluid – a term used to describe the experience of one’s gender as moving along the continuum between and among genders
Genderqueer – a term used to describe the experience of being outside the gender binary, which may include having two or more genders (bigender, pangender, etc.), being third-gendered or other-gendered, or being without gender
Man – a term used to describe the experience of one’s gender being male, masculine
Non-binary – a term used to describe the experience of one’s gender being outside the binary or otherwise not identifying with binary male or female gender categories
Self-Entered – please enter the term most appropriate to describe your gender
Two-spirit – a culturally-specific term used to describe some individuals in some Native American cultures whose gender orientation includes both a masculine spirit and a feminine spirit
Woman – a term used to describe the experience of one’s gender being female, feminine

How do I set my pronouns and/or gender identity?

Students can update their pronouns and/or gender identity in MyPack Portal.

1. Navigate to your Student Homepage
2. Select the ‘Personal Information’ tile
3. Select the ‘Pronoun/Gender Identity’ option
4. Select the appropriate options from the dropdown menu(s)
5. Select ‘Save’

What are the guidelines for self-entered pronouns and/or gender identity?

Generally, you can set self-entered pronouns and/or gender identity as desired, but the University reserves the right to delete a self-entered pronoun and/or gender identity if it is used inappropriately. Inappropriate use includes an attempt to harass or threaten, or is otherwise objectionable.

Do I have to provide and set pronouns and/or gender identity?

No. Both of these fields are entirely optional.

Can I delete or change my pronouns and/or gender identity after saving?

Yes. If you have designated pronouns and/or gender identity and wish to update or remove this information, you can do so in MyPack Portal.

1. Navigate to your Student Homepage
2. Select the ‘Personal Information’ tile
3. Select the ‘Pronoun/Gender Identity’ option
4. Change the desired field(s) to be blank or to the updated information
5. Select ‘Save’

Where will this information be displayed?

Pronouns will be available administratively via class rosters, grade rosters, the advising center, and other areas of MyPack Portal for faculty and staff viewing. Information on pronouns and/or gender identity may be shared with authorized university officials, but will not be released to unauthorized or third-party contacts. Parents or guardians granted access through MyPack Portal, as well as peer students, should not be able to view this information via their individual system access.

Additional Resources

NC State Policies, Regulations & Rules (POL 04.25.05 – Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination and Affirmative Action Policy)
NC State LGBTQ Pride Center
NC State LGBTQ Pride Center Education
NC State Bias Impact Response
Safe at NC State (Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity)
My Pronouns: Resources on Personal Pronouns