Preferred Name Change

1. Option One - Desire to Generally Use a Preferred Name
   A student may request the use of a preferred name, which will result in the preferred name being associated with the student’s University-issued email address and otherwise appearing on University-issued identification badges, class lists, public directories, rosters, Canvas, Microsoft Teams, WebEx, and other places the University may designate. At all times, the student’s legal name will remain the default name in the University’s system and therefore may be discoverable by others. 

   A preferred name change of this kind can be made online through the student portal.

2. Option Two - Desire to Use Preferred Name as the Default
   The University understands that some circumstances require changes that are more comprehensive and that prioritize keeping the legal name private. In those situations, the student may request that the University designate the preferred name as the default name in the University’s system by completing the appropriate form authorizing the University to make such a change. A preferred name change of this kind can be made online through the student portal (see below). Once approved and implemented, the student’s legal name will be used only in connection with University business purposes and other processes that require use of a legal name, including:
   1. Academic Certifications
   2. Diplomas
   3. Criminal Background Checks
   4. Department of Public Safety
   5. Employment Records
   6. Federal Requests for Information
   7. Federation of State Medical Boards
   8. Financial Aid
   9. Immigration/SEVIS Forms
   10. Information to state licensing agencies and national board certification agencies
   11. Information to governmental agencies or as required in connection with legal processes
   12. Information for national matching programs for post-graduate residency programs
   13. Information for professional association memberships
   14. Information for internships
   15. National Student Clearinghouse
   16. Onboarding for external and international rotations (e.g., health insurance documentation, health records, training certificates)
   17. Security
   18. Student Financial Services documentation
   19. Transcripts

The University does not advise Option #2 unless a compelling reason exists. Because this list (a-s) is not exhaustive and other circumstances may exist that require the University to use the student’s legal name for legal purposes and/or to facilitate progression through their program and eventual licensure, the University may use the student’s legal name for those other purposes. To the extent the University uses the student’s preferred name where their legal name should have been used, the University will work to remedy the situation with the student’s cooperation.

Either preferred name change option discussed above can be submitted through the student’s portal under the My Info tab, then by clicking on My Records and lastly by clicking on Name Change Request. If the badge is printed prior to matriculation as the student’s initial badge, no charge will be incurred for the printing of the ID badge. However, if the approved name change badge needs to be printed after an initial ID badge has been provided, the student will be charged $25 for the replacement badge. Once notified that the ID badge has been printed, the new badge can be obtained from the Campus Safety and Security Office.

Since students may update their preferred names at any time throughout the year, University information systems will be refreshed on a regular basis. Appropriate system fields, forms, reports, and processes that collect and/or use student information will be updated to allow the use of preferred names whenever possible.