Preferred Name

University of San Diego recognizes that many of its students use a first name other than their legal first name. As long as the use of a preferred first name is not for the purpose of misrepresentation and does not contain inappropriate or offensive language, the university allows a preferred first name to be used in certain university systems, records and documents in place of their legal first name.

Therefore, any student who wishes to choose to be identified within the university’s information systems with a preferred first name in addition to their legal name may do so. It is further understood that the student's preferred first name will be used in university systems, except where the use of the legal first name is necessitated by a university business or legal requirement.

The university allows students to specify a preferred first name by completing a request form on the Personal Information Channel, which can be found in the My San Diego portal. By completing a request form in the portal, the preferred first name will appear where allowable by the university. In public or semi-public systems where names are visible to other students, instructors, faculty, campus officials, and the general public, preferred first name will be displayed. Specific examples are student identification cards, class rosters, and Blackboard display names. The preferred first name may appear in one of the following formats depending upon the system:

Preferred Name Legal Last Name = Jack Smith

Legal Last Name, Preferred Name = Smith, Jack

Campus departments are encouraged to utilize preferred first name in their business practices, and can obtain assistance for doing so through contacting crm@sandiego.edu. 

In the administrative Banner system, a non-public system that requires authentication and authorization for user access, most Banner forms display the student’s legal first name. This is necessary so that academic records, transcripts, diplomas, the Commencement program, financial and scholarship documents, and legal documents produced by the university display the student’s legal first name. The only Banner form that will show a student’s preferred first name is SPAIDEN.

Once you complete a request form and it has been approved through the Office of the Registrar, please allow 3-5 business days for it to be displayed in other systems.

No. Legal first name will always be used in business processes that require the use of the legal name, such as for student transcripts and financial aid. In certain circumstances it may also be necessary for you to inform people on campus of your legal name.  For example, medical professionals and police or Public Safety officers may need to know your legal first name.

No. Preferred name only applies to your first name. If you would like to change your middle or last name on your university record you will need to change your legal name.

Students may determine and designate a preferred name that they want to be known by in university systems. The university reserves the right to remove a preferred name if it contains inappropriate or offensive language, or is being used for misrepresentation.  Symbols, numeric characters and special characters are not permitted. Preferred name is limited to 30 characters.

No. Using a preferred first name is optional, and your legal first name will be used if you do not select a preferred first name.

Some campus departments interact with, and send reports to federal, state and other government agencies that verify the identity of students using the legal name, in some cases Social Security Number, and other personal identifiable information which prohibits the use of a preferred first name. Official university documents will also use your legal name.

Students who wish to change their legal name must supply supporting legal documentation and submit a request to the Office of the Registrar in Founders Hall, 117.

Please contact the university Title IX Coordinator at titleIX@sandiego.edu or (619) 260-4594.

No. Once an email account is created, in most cases, it cannot be changed. If a preferred first name is known prior to the email account creation, it will be used. However, it is possible to update your Gmail display name.  To do so, do the following: Go to Account (not Settings, but Account) > Personal Information > Name > Edit. Only students who have submitted a legal name change request may receive an updated email address. 

Once your preferred name is displayed in university systems you may get a new student identification card. Please remember that your student identification card is not a legal form of identification and cannot be used in situations when you need to provide legal identification. You may request a new identification card at University Center 127.

After completing either the preferred or legal name change, Campus Card Services can print you a corrected ID card at no cost. To make this a smooth process for you, we recommend letting the Title IX office know when you’re going to visit Campus Card Services (the front desk staff are student workers who are accustomed to charging for issuing ID cards).

USD considers the diploma to be a legal document and hence only a student’s legal name will be used on a diploma. Since the Commencement program is linked to the diploma, generally USD will not allow the use of a preferred first name in the Commencement program. Students with compelling reasons to have their preferred first name appear in the Commencement program may appeal to the appropriate Registrar’s office for an exception.