trans*, inter* and non-binary realities of life at universities

Information for TIN* students

Display name change and official name change

All students at Bielefeld University have the option of setting up a display name. This name can be entered independently in PRISMA and adjusted or changed again if necessary. In digital portals such as BIS/ekvv, in Moddle, for e-exams, in the library's loan account and for web authentication, the display name overwrites the name given during enrolment. Exceptions are the Prüfungsamt and related matters, such as the issuing of diplomas and transcripts, as well as the PEVZ. A change in the PEVZ must be submitted directly to the contact person for correction requests.

• How to change your display name in PRISMA
• How to change your display name in the PEVZ as a (student) employee

Since 2023, the display name can also be used for the UniCard and the Deutschlandticket. This may cause problems during at ticket inspections that require ID. If a UniCard has already been issued, the old card can be exchanged for a new one with the desired display name at the info point in the Student Service Centre in the UHG. The first UniCard with a display name is free of charge.

• How to aquire a UniCard with the desired display name (bottom of page)

Changing the display name in PRISMA does not affect the display name in your email account or the email address. However, students can independently create an email address in PRISMA using their preferred name for their university email account and change the accounts display name.

• How to change your display name of your university email account and university email adress
   

Official first name and gender entry change

After an official change of first name and gender entry in accordance with the Selbstbestimmungsgesetz (SBGG), this change can be registered with the student office. This also applies to exmatriculated students who wish to apply for a new diploma to be issued by the faculty.

To change the data, the "Application for name change (GER)" form must be completed, printed out and signed and submitted to the Student Office with the following evidence:

• Certificate from the registry office regarding changes to details in the register of births in accordance with § 45 b PStG (certified copy)
• 4-page page printout from the register of births (certified copy)

Instead of certified copies, simple copies can also be submitted by presenting the originals. An appointment must be made with the student office for this.

• Contact Student Office
• Form Downloads Student Office
   

Reissue of diplomas

The examination offices of the respective faculty are responsible for issuing new diplomas. In order to have diplomas or certificates issued in the new name, the name and gender entry change must be reported to the student office in accordance with SBGG and the first name must be changed in the university’s system (see previous section).

Once all data has been changed at the student office, an informal application for a new certificate can be submitted to the relevant examination office. 

In order to receive the new diploma:

• The fee for the reissue must have been received
• Original documents with the old name must be submitted

The clerk will then issue the new documents.

As this is a reissue and not a duplicate, the only difference is the change of first name. The person who signed the previous original (e.g. the former dean) signs the new issue. If this person is not available or is deceased, the deputy person at the time (e.g. vice dean at the time) signs. The reissue is not labelled as a duplicate or similar. A duplicate is only issued if there is no longer any person available who had been authorised to sign the original document.

Contacts and Counselling

Student Office/ Studierendensekretariat (StudSek)
The Studierendensekretariat is concerned with all formalities around studying at Bielefeld University. They are the first stop if one wants to change their name and/or gender marker. Doris Mahlke is especially knowledgeable when it comes to the specific issues of trans*, inter* and non-binary students.

Gender Equality Office / Gleichstellungsbeauftragte
While the legal mandate for gender equality is formulated in binary terms, the University of Bielefeld decided in 2024 to include all genders in its practiced equality measures. This enables the Gender Equality Officers at the central level, as well as within departments and faculties, to incorporate the representation of trans*, inter*, and non-binary individuals into their work. The aim is to structurally dismantle the discrimination against TIN* persons.

Contact person in the Gender Equality Office: Siân Birkner.

Central Student Advisory Service / Zentrale Studierendenberatung (ZSB)
The Central Student Advisory Service assists students in all life and emergency situations, whether they are conflicts with lecturers, mental health issues, or uncertainties in their studies. The ZSB provides person-centered counseling. The ZSB explicitly offers support for all genders, and its advisors strive to create an open, accepting, and appreciative conversation context.

Diversity / Diversität
At the leadership level, the topic of gender diversity falls within the Vice Rectorate for International Affairs, Diversity, and Society, as well as in the Personnel and Organization Department (P/O) 6: Diversity. Therefore, inquiries, suggestions, and issues concerning TIN* should be directed to the staff there. The direct contact person is Pia Ortwein.

Website: Diversity Portal
Contact Person: Pia Ortwein (Diversity)

All-Gender-Toilets and Changing Rooms

Since 2018, on the initiative of the student body, All-Gender Toilets (AGT) have been introduced at Bielefeld University. Currently, there is at least one All-Gender Toilet in seven buildings on the university campus, with plans to add more.

In addition to the official All-Gender Toilets, there are also unofficial All-Gender Toilets. The Central Student Advisory Service has re-designated the toilets near their counseling rooms in the UHG on A2. An accessible toilet in CITEC and in the Experimental Physics building is open to all individuals. These unofficial All-Gender Toilets do not meet the university's standards regarding privacy and accessibility.

Since the winter semester of 2022/23, the availability of free period products on campus has been expanded. Now, alongside some women's toilets, certain accessible and All-Gender Toilets are equipped with dispensers offering free period products.

In the university's sports facilities within the main building, there is also an official All-Gender communal changing room with a communal shower and toilet. The changing rooms in the swimming pool area are divided binarily; however, there are individual changing rooms in both the men's and women's sections. Unfortunately, this is not the case for the showers.

Search in table

Building	All-Gender-Toilet	AGT with free periodproducts
University Main Building (UHG)	A2-108A (Unofficial AGT) A2-112A (Unofficial AGT) J-104/105 K-112 P01-203/205 (WC-Changing Rooms) U0-123	A2-112A (Unofficial AGT) P01-203/205 (WC-Changing Rooms)
Experimental Physics	E0-106 (Accessible Toilet)	E0-106 (Accessible Toilet)
Building R1	A0-041A A0-041B D0-113	A0-041A
Building R2	Z4-103	Z4-103
Building R4	0-135
Building X	E0-109 E1-116	E1-116
Building Y	00-104	00-104
Building Z	2-207	2-207

Gender-inclusive Language

Bielefeld University has decided to use the gender star (asterisk) in its official communication to give visibility to gender diversity.

Due to technical issues, its use is not possible everywhere. The program Teamchat 2.0 for example is based on markdown. There both the asterisk (*) as well as the underscore (_) have functions and cannot be used for the purpose of gender sensitive language. Here one has to rely on less common alternatives like the  slash (/).