We would reissue a degree certificate following a change of sex, as long as
the graduate provided us with the necessary documentation confirming their
new name and returned their original certificate.

--
Rowena Northern
Graduation Office
Whiteknights House
University of Reading
Berkshire
RG6 6AH

T: 0118 9318117
E: [log in to unmask]
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Admin-student [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
> Dennis Barrington-Light
> Sent: 06 August 2002 10:23 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Degree Certificates
>
>
> I have been asked by the DfES for some information on the issue of Degree
> Certificates following the ruling of the European Court on Human Rights
> relating to Christine Goodwin.
>
> I enclose he email I have responded to him on the position at Cambridge.
I
> am
> aware that there was some correspondence about the reissue of degree
> certificates some time ago but could I ask you to respond to me directly
> ([log in to unmask]) with answers to the following questions:
>
> 1.   Do you reissue certificates in a new name following a change of sex?
>
> 2.   How do you record this on your student records system (i.e. do you
> change
> the gender code or retain the original)?
>
> 3.   If legislation were passed to enable transsexual people to legally
> assume
> their new identity would this ease the problems or make it more difficult?
>
> If you wish to answer the DfES questions feel free to do so but quick
> responses to the above would be very helpful.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> Dennis Barrington-Light
> Head of Student Records and Statistics
> University of Cambridge,
> 10 Peas Hill, Cambridge CB2 3PN, UK
> Tel: +44(0)1223 332303  Fax: +44(0)1223 331200
> E-mail:  [log in to unmask]
>
> ---------------------- Forwarded by Dennis
> Barrington-Light/ACD/Central-Admin
> on 06/08/2002 10:14 ---------------------------
>
>
> [log in to unmask] on 24/07/2002 13:49:35
>
> To:   Dennis Barrington-Light/ACD/Central-Admin@Central-Admin
> cc:
>
> Subject:  Degree Certificates
>
>
>
>
>
> Mr Barrington Light
>
> I am contacting you for some urgent advice in your SROC role.  We are
> contributing to some work here in the Department on the issues facing
> transsexual people - our specific concern is the arrangements HEIs make
for
> issuing certificates (initially, or reissuing them) to graduates who have
> 'undergone gender reassignment' during study or after graduating.  Can you
> give us some overview of current practice, via your role on SROC, or point
> us to a source of information?
>
> This work has been given added urgency by a recent ruling within the
> European Court of Human Rights (case of   Christine Goodwin and "I" under
> Articles 8 (right to respect for private life) and 12 (right to marry) of
> the Convention)  which puts the UK Government under an obligation, in
> effect, to change the law to give full legal recognition to the acquired
> gender of, at least, those transsexual people who have undergone gender
> reassignment surgery
>
> As well as the general enquiry, therefore, we have been asked to answer
the
> following questions about the area of certification
>
> Q1.   To what extent is this area governed by:
>
> a)   primary legislation?  Please list the legislation that applies.
> b)   secondary legislation?  Please list.
> c)   case law?  Please list.
> d)   policy and practice?  Please explain.
>
>
> Q2.   In the light of the Goodwin and I judgments, what adjustments have
> been made, or are planned, to address the problems faced by transsexual
> people, without the need for legislation?
>
>
> Q3.   What further adjustments, that will require legislation, are:
>
> a)   necessary, in the light of the Goodwin and I judgments?
> b)   desirable (eg because the status quo would be  vulnerable to a
> further legal challenge based on the Convention)?
>
>
> Q4.   If legislation were passed to provide full legal identity to
> transsexual people and a mechanism for their official recognition in their
> acquired identity
>
>           a)   which of the problems listed under 3 (a) and (b) above
> would fall away?
>
>           b)   which problems would persist or be created?
>
>
> Would you be in a position to help us at all with any of the above?  We
> would welcome any information you can give us about current practices and
> conventions and if the insertion of names and gender on certificates is
> subject to any legislation.
>
> Unfortunately we have to respond by the end of this month.
>
>
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> John Luckett
> Quality and Employability Division
> Higher Education Group
> Department for Education and Skills
>
> 0114 259 3817
>
>