There are many reasons why a person may want to go by a name other than the one legally assigned to them.
It is possible to change your name on UCLan’s systems without a legal change of name but this doesn't change enough. Communications, diplomas, and the online student directory will all show the legal name of the student, and this can be problematic due to reasons such as but not limited to the sensation of dysphoria that comes from being dead-named as a trans student, or being reminded of negative past experiences that may be associated with a legal name.
The ideal outcome of this big idea is for the Students’ Union to support efforts to push UCLan for a clear and progressive preferred name policy that includes a clear framework on how to change a preferred name and what will be changed. An example framework to follow would be Manchester University’s Preferred Name Policy which includes preferred names on communications, diplomas, and the online student directory.