Ask the university to allow phonetic spellings at graduation
Khemcehangma Phago submitted on
Sunday 12th January 2025
Complete
Hi, I'm a final year student set to graduate in the summer. I found out from the previous years students that there is no system for students to be able to submit phonetic spellings of their name to be announced at graduation. Other unis allow students to submit one when they book a slot at graduation. As someone with a long ethnic name, I would hate to step up on stage to a butchered pronunciation of my name. (My legal name is Khemcehangma but I go by Khemce which is still hard to say correctly) Especially after 4 years of hard work :( It happened to my friends last year. So if there could be a system put in place where students could submit a phonetic spelling that could be printed beside the name on the list read it, I think everything in the student union with a hard to pronounce name would be thankful :))
Apologies if there is already a system, I'm just going off what my friends told me
Responses
Here, you can view the complete set of official responses from the sabbatical officers regarding this submission.
Students' Union replied on
Friday 24th Jan 2025 10:53am
Dear Khemcehangma,
Apologies for the delay in communication.
I have received a response from the Development Manager in Student Services.
They have explained that on Banner (the same place you choose optional modules and check marks) there is a section where you can add pronunciation notes, and this is what is used for the Reader Script at graduation.
Alternatively, you can also email graduation@soton.ac.uk and inform them directly of how you pronounce your name. The last method they suggested was writing notes on your name card you receive at the graduation ceremony, which is what the reader reads from, however this should not be necessary if you have confirmation through either of the previous two methods.
If you need anymore information, please contact me at president@soton.ac.uk, as I will close this submission now.
Many thanks,
Lawrence Coomber.
Union President 2024/25.
Students' Union replied on
Monday 13th Jan 2025 10:29am
Dear Khemcehangma,
Thank you for submitting this, you are right that many students would benefit from this.
I have asked the head of the graduation team whether this system exists already, and if not, could it be added in the way you described as that sounds the simplest and easiest way to allow students to submit a phonetic pronunciation.
I will reply on here again once I have their response.
Many thanks,
Lawrence Coomber.
Union President 2024/25.
Actions
Forwarded to Union President
Monday 13th Jan 2025 10:10am
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