Student Resources

Safe Zone for Students

An on campus program which promotes an affirming and inclusive environment for all Purdue Fort Wayne students. The program offers workshops and events designed to raise awareness and increase understanding about the LGBTQ+ community. Upon completing the five workshop that Safe Zone for Students offers, they can then receive a certification which signifies their commitment to being a more effective ally or advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. The Resource Center has recently taken on Safe Zone for Students programming so all upcoming events can be found on our website. We offer all five workshops each semester. 

The workshops include: The Basics, History, Trans 101, How to be an Ally, and Intersectionality

Safe Zone

A Safe Zone is a place where you can feel free to talk about being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender without fear of criticism or hatred. It is a place where you can feel not only supported but affirmed. It is a place where you are not only accepted but valued.

Look for the Safe Zone sign. People displaying this sign have taken a Safe Zone training workshop and have signed a pledge to be positive, supportive, and affirming to students, staff, and faculty who wish to talk about being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. In a Safe Zone, you are free to be yourself.

Northeast Indiana Diversity Library

The Northeast Indiana Diversity Library (NIDL) is a specialty library with a circulating collection of more than 8,000 books and an archive of local gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender history.

OUTspoken

This is a student group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, allies, and those questioning their sexual orientation identity or gender identity to come together and create discussion and have an active voice on campus. OUTspoken also hopes to create a good, strong community for themselves, the campus, and the greater LGBTQQIA community for friendship, education, support, and activism.

Student Assistance Program

Need someone to talk to? The Purdue University Fort Wayne Student Assistance Program (SAP) is here for you. The program offers a variety of brief counseling and consultation services by professional counselors to address student needs. The services are free and confidential. Call 1800 342-5653 or email EAPSAP@bowencenter.org to set up an appointment.

This program currently has onsite and telecounseling available.

Services are available for Purdue Fort Wayne and Indiana University Fort Wayne students.  

PFW Center for Healthy Living Campus Clinic

The PFW Center for Healthy Living Campus Clinic provides comprehensive health services to meet the medical and psychological needs of students, faculty, and staff at Purdue Fort Wayne.

LGBT Studies Certificate

The LGBT studies certificate is offered though the College of Arts and Sciences and the program integrates concepts from multiple academic disciplines from psychology to fine arts. The LGBT Undergraduate Certificate requires a total of 19 credit hours; 10 credits in LGBT courses, 6 credits in sexuality courses, and 3 credits in gender courses. This link will direct you to the LGBT Program Requirements tab, which lists the possible classes available.

Contact: Craig Hill, Ph.D., Director

hillc@pfw.edu

Your Rights in Indiana

Do I have a right to change my name legally? 

Yes. A legal name change is often the first step in a person’s legal transition, a concrete signpost that they are beginning to live in accordance with their gender identity. It can be important to have accurate IDs to reflect who you are in the world.  

How do I change the gender marker on my driver’s license in Indiana?  

In Indiana, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) needs one of the following  

1. A birth certificate showing a change of gender OR 

1. A form signed by a physician certifying that the applicant successfully underwent all treatment necessary to permanently change gender OR 

1. A physician’s signed and dated statement, on letterhead, that includes the language from 140 IAC 7-1.1-3 “<insert customer’s name> successfully underwent all treatment necessary to permanently change <insert customer’s name> gender from <insert prior gender> to <insert new gender>.” 

Indiana’s BMV now has a third gender option “X” for non-binary individuals. These persons still need to have one of the documents listed above.  

How do I change the gender marker on my birth certificate in Indiana?  

Indiana has a general statute providing for the change of information on birth certificates. The Vital Statistics Division will issue an amended birth certificate upon showing of a court order. To apply for an amended birth certificate the applicant should submit:  

1. A certified court order from any valid court in the U.S. (the court order must have the person’s name, date and place of birth, and must say to change the original gender of the person on the birth certificate) 

1. An application for a birth certificate  

1. A copy of a photo ID with current mailing address 

1. A check or money order with applicable fees ISDH  

Your Rights at Purdue Fort Wayne

Can I change my name and gender marker on my school records at Purdue Fort Wayne?

The preferred name policy allows students to change their name through the Registrar's office via this form. Please allow 24-48 hours for a request to be processed. You may change your preferred name once per semester, and you may only update your first name not your last name. The university will continue to make necessary changes to the implementation of the process to ensure preferred names are used whenever possible. Legal name will continue to be used for business and legal purpose in the following places: admissions, housing contracts, student billing accounts, financial aid, enrollment verification, transcripts, teacher licensure records, government employment forms, governmental tax forms, paychecks, and with the university police. 

A legal name change can be made using this form, and you must provide one of the following forms of identification with that new name: driver's license or state issued photo ID, marriage license, social security card, permanent resident card, passport, divorce decree, or court order. 

Currently, there is no process for changing the gender marker on school records at Purdue Fort Wayne. 

What are our university policies, and do they protect trans and gender non-conforming students?

“Purdue University is committed to maintaining a community which recognizes and values the inherent worth and dignity of every person; fosters tolerance, sensitivity, understanding, and mutual respect among its members; and encourages each individual to strive to reach his or her own potential. In pursuit of its goal of academic excellence, the University seeks to develop and nurture diversity. The University believes that diversity among its many members strengthens the institution, stimulates creativity, promotes the exchange of ideas, and enriches campus life.

Purdue University views, evaluates, and treats all persons in any University related activity or circumstance in which they may be involved, solely as individuals on the basis of their own personal abilities, qualifications, and other relevant characteristics.

Purdue University prohibits discrimination against any member of the University community on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran. The University will conduct its programs, services and activities consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and orders and in conformance with the procedures and limitations as set forth in Purdue’s Equal Opportunity, Equal Access and Affirmative Action policy which provides specific contractual rights and remedies. Additionally, the University promotes the full realization of equal employment opportunity for women, minorities, persons with disabilities and veterans through its affirmative action program.”

Therefore,

1. All members of the community have the right to use the restroom in accordance with their gender identity; there are also single-stall gender neutral restrooms across campus.
2. Purdue Fort Wayne’s Student Housing has a Gender Inclusive Housing Group, which is offered to students who prefer to live in a residential community setting that supports and affirms gender identity and/or gender expression. Allies who have an understanding of gender identity and expression are also encouraged to participate in this option. 
3. Gender identity and gender expression are protected classes under our non-discrimination policies, meaning staff and faculty who refuse to use your pronouns and chosen (preferred) name may not be following policy.

What can I do in a situation where I feel that I am being discriminated against at Purdue Fort Wayne?

In cases of harassment, or situations in which a student feels that another member of the Purdue Fort Wayne community (staff, faculty, or student) has violated their rights under Purdue’s anti-harassment, non-discrimination, and equal opportunity policies, a student can file a report, contact the Dean of Students, or reach out to the Office of Institutional Equity.   

File a report.

Christine Marcuccilli

Associate Director of Compliance

      marcuccc@pfw.edu

Office of the Dean of Students

      dos@pfw.edu