I'm going back to college this semester after taking a year off for mental health reasons (my last semester went...poorly, we'll say). My legal name change will hopefully be complete by the end of the semester (keep your fingers crossed for me), and I wanted to contact my professors about my name preference prior to the start of classes. This is the email I planned to send them:

Dear Sir,
My legal name is [birth name], and I will be attending two of your classes this coming Fall 2014 semester. Before the semester begins, I would like you to know that I am in the process of transitioning my gender from female to male. I am in the process of completing a legal name change; the process will hopefully be complete by November.
In light of this information, I ask that you refer to me as Ben, Benjamin, or BJ during classes, as the change will be to Benjamin James. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at the email address above.
Thank you for your cooperation with this matter.
Benjamin James [Last Name]

I'm actually in two of both of their classes, so I can send them both the exact same letter. I was just wondering what y'all thought about it. I know it seems formal, but I don't know either of these guys, and I'm hoping to come across as A) confident in my choices and B) professional.
If you have any suggestions for things to add, I'm all ears. Er. Well. Eyes, I guess.
Thanks in advance!

As a Professor I think that is a very reasonable letter. Even better go and see them if you have any sort of contact with them.

Make sure you contact the school office etc and get your name changed on your academic record as well.

Thanks, Cindy!
I'm not sure what office hours are for them during the summer, to be honest.
That's on my list! Makes me glad I don't own any property that would need me to change the name on a deed or registration; I've got enough to take care of lol.

Quote from: devention on July 09, 2014, 02:31:17 AM
Dear Sir,

My legal name is [birth name], and I will be attending two of your classes this coming Fall 2014 semester. Before the semester begins, I would like you to know that I am transitioning my gender from female to male. I have filed for a legal name change to Benjamin James [last name], which should be granted by November.

In light of this information, I ask that you call me Ben in and out of class, and refer to me with male pronouns.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at the email address above.

Thank you for your discretion and cooperation with this matter.

Benjamin James [Last Name]

Suggested rewording above.

-Jay

As a professor I would think that is a very reasonable request.  It is not an unusual request to call a student by a namme different than that listed on the roster. 

After you send the letter you might want to meet with the professors.  Most are available for a week or two just before classes start and would be happy to meet with you.

I agree with Jaydawg's edit. You don't need to make it overly formal; just explain you are changing your name and what name you are changing to including gender and that's it.

Thanks, everybody! I like your edit, jaydawg. I'll be using it.

looks like you have a great letter. good luck

I like the edits that JayDawg made as well. That looks like a good version to send. There is really no need to be overly formal. I hope that the semester goes well for you

Yeah, I know I didn't need to be *that* formal, but my normal letter writing style is extremely jokey and casual, and I wanted to make sure they knew it wasn't a joke, I guess. I've had a lot of people not take me seriously (not teachers, tho).

I never even said I was transitioning, I was just like "hi this is my name now" lol and if (when) they misgendered me I'd talk to them in person, and mention it separately.