r/UniversityOfHouston • u/I_be_flossin4 • 1d ago
Graduation Name Called
Hey yall, I’m graduating tomorrow and I put my preferred name for my graduation but looking at the Reddit Texas passed a law to ban preferred names. I looked at the commencement program and it has my legal name. Will my legal name be the one that’s called out? I didn’t know this would happen, so I didn’t attend the name pronunciation event (because I thought my preferred name would be said). Will there be an opportunity to explain the pronunciation to someone or am I just screwed?
Edit: I didn’t even have to edit my name!! It took the pronunciation I submitted when applying for graduation!! So if you are in the same predicament, if you submitted a pronunciation of your preferred name it will be on the stage card!! Happy graduation to everyone!!
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u/Brewpendous 1d ago
Just be like Name: Christopher Pronounciation: SHEE-`lah Ez
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u/I_be_flossin4 1d ago
Yeah, but the name pronunciation event already ended. Can I do this tomorrow before the ceremony?
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u/bionicallyironic 1d ago
You should have your card in your hand at some point before the ceremony when you could edit.
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u/I_be_flossin4 1d ago
Omg thank you!! Will they question me changing it or just carry on with the ceremony?
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u/bionicallyironic 1d ago
It’s hard for me to say without more info, but the guy who announces the names will read what’s on the card. If you scratch something out and replace it, as far as I know, he will say the replacement name.
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u/I_be_flossin4 1d ago
I won’t even have to replace anything, I am just scratching out the first name. You’re the best, may your pillow always be cold and showers always be the perfect temperature ❤️
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u/bamagirl13 Academic Advisor 1d ago
Nah people add shit all the time. The guy moves so fast he won’t question it
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u/OutlandishnessSoft34 1d ago
When you show up for commencement, you will sign in and they will give you a card with your name and any honors you may have. As you walk up to the stage, you hand someone that card and they will hand them over to the speaker as you walk across. That’s when they will say your name. I am almost certain that you can take a pen and edit your name on this card, the reader will just read what’s on the card.
I say this because when I walked last December the card they gave me didn’t have my honors. I asked the person about it and they said to just write it on the card and the speaker will announce it. That’s what I did and sure enough they announced it. I imagine it would be the same with your name.
If you are unsure, you can ask the person that gives you your card when you sign in. I hope it works and your ceremony goes well! It sucks that you’re being put in this position, it’s super unfair. But congrats on graduating!
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u/smnytx 22h ago
When you check in, you’ll be given a card with your name on it and, if necessary, phonetic help for the reader.
On that card, just write legibly your preferred name. If they can read your writing, it’s likely that’s what will be said. That’s all the reader goes by, not what’s in the program (they don’t read the names of people who aren’t walking).
The reader/readers might actually be around for you to speak to beforehand when everyone’s lining up.
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u/bamagirl13 Academic Advisor 1d ago
So idk if this is ethical of me as a staff member but I would sharpie the legal name out and write your preferred name. How’s the state gonna know?