A preferred name (sometimes referred to as a chosen name, nickname, or name-in-use) is an alternative to an individual’s legal first, middle and/or last name that students, faculty, or staff wish to be known by within the CSBSJU community.

A legal name is the name that identifies a person for legal, administrative and other official purposes. A person's legal birth name generally is the name of the person that was given for the purpose of registration of the birth, and which then appears on your passport, driver’s license, birth certificate, or U.S. Social Security Card.

There are many reasons why someone may use a chosen name. While the most visible may be to reflect gender identity, other reasons why someone might use a preferred name include using a nickname, going by an Americanized name, or distinguishing oneself from someone with a similar name.

Current students and employees with access to Banner are eligible to designate a preferred name.

Legal/primary name is required for many government and university business processes including, but not limited to, financial aid documents, payroll documents, tax forms, transcripts, and immigration documents.  Legal name will appear on the following:

• Official correspondence from the university such as financial aid awards, and contracts
• Paychecks and pay stubs
• Tax or benefits-related documents
• Study abroad (travel documents, etc.)
• Alumni office records
• Purchasing Card
• Registrar records
• Official and unofficial transcripts
• IA System
• Commencement
• Accessibility Services system
• Federal and state student reporting systems
• Symplicity Advocate

For legal name changes your new legal name will appear in all the places listed above though one's former legal name will be stored in some university records and not redacted.

Many forms used by CSBSJU, such as Banner, will allow the user to include a preferred name in addition to a legal name. If you select this option preferred name will appear in several places including the Class Roster; Grade Roster; Student, Faculty and Staff Directory; and CSBSJU ID Card and the following:

• ID cards[1]
• Degree Works
• Canvas
• Handshake
• CSBSJU email and network account
• Faculty advisee list
• Residence life roster
• Diploma
• Dean’s list
• Athletic team rosters
• The Hive

[1] There is a $25 charge for students and employees that request a new ID to preferred name.  There is no cost for a legal name change.

Yes. You may designate any preferred name that you want to be known by in the university community. However, CSBSJU will not accept a preferred name that is vulgar, offensive, or obscene, creates confusion of the individual with another individual, is an attempt to avoid a legal obligation, or otherwise constitutes misuse or abuse of the preferred name. 

Individuals who wish to change their preferred name may do so by following these instructions:

• Employee Name Change Procedure
• Student Name Change Request