1. Your Home for Academic Records
  2. Records
  3. Record Changes
  4. Update My Name
  5. Name Preference

Name Preference

A Name Preference is an alternate first name that differs from a person’s legal first name. Any student may choose to identify themselves within the University’s information system with their name preference in addition to their legal name. 

Requesting Use of First Name Preference

Students may request to add, edit, or remove their name preference by completing a Personal Identity - Preference Request form.

Once submitted, this form will update the following information systems: 

  • Self-Service Applications, includes Student Profile and Class Rosters
    The name display will be as follows:
         - Student's Legal first name (Name Preference Name) Legal last name - ex. Sally (Sam) Deaux 
  • Moodle
  • DegreeWorks 
  • Student Success Manager/CRM Advise – Academic Success Center
  • MediCat – Student Health Services
  • Handshake - Career Services
  • VisualZen - Orientation
  • StarRez - Housing & Residential Life
  • MS Teams**
  • Email Address**
     ** must indicate on the Personal Information - Preference Request Form

You may update your name preference to additional systems and/or offices by doing the following: 

  • Zoom: Open Zoom via web browser. Click on the edit button on the right side of the name from the profile section. Edit the display name, scroll down, and save.
  • Cajun Card: Visit the Cajun Card Office in the Student Union, Room 134, to request an updated card with your name preference.  Your name preference will be present on the front of the card and your legal name will be on the back. Replacement card fees apply.
  • External Systems: AIM – Office of Disability Services (student enters personal information into system)
    - ILLiad – University Library (student has option to enter name preference)

While the University is looking to and actively working on the expansion of name preference usage, the name preference will not appear in the following locations: 

  • Transcripts (Official and Unofficial)
  • Diplomas and Graduate Certificates
  • Any legally binding document produced by the University

Legal name may be required to be used due to relevant law, policy, regulation, or mandate.

Questions about Name Preference - Please visit the FAQs page.