How to Indicate Your Preferred Name in Student Records

The Pride Center would like to thank the many people involved with initiating a preferred name option at BSU. Alphabetically, they are:

The Diversity Council
Dr. Dave Ostroth, VP of Student Affairs
The Pride Center Ambassadors
The Pride Coalition
Student Government Association

We also would like to thank President Dr. Dana Mohler-Faria and his cabinet, as well as the dedicated staff in Information Technology, for making a preferred name option possible at BSU. 

Below is an announcement from Dr. Ostroth that details how students may indicate their preferred names whenever their legal names are not required.

BSU has established new procedures which would allow you, if you so desire, to use a first name different than your legal name on certain university records:

  • You can change your first name on class rosters and grade lists

  • You could get a new Connect ID card with your preferred first name, if you change it on class rosters and grade lists first

  • You could change your university e-mail address to display your preferred first name

  • You can change your first name on Blackboard and Moodle

If you change your preferred first name for the above purposes, that does not change your legal name with BSU, and ALL other records will still show your legal name.  Examples of records showing legal names are such things as transcripts, degree audits, Commencement brochures, degree certificates, financial records, W-2 forms, newspaper articles, enrollment data, financial aid documents, and mailing information. To change the name on these records, you must make a legal name change and then inform the university.

To change your first name on class rosters and grade lists:

  • Log into Infobear using your Banner ID and PIN
  • Click Personal Information on the Main Menu
  • Click Change Preferred First Name on the Personal Information page
  • Enter your preferred first name on the Change Preferred First Name page
  • Your preferred first name change will be saved in Infobear.

To get a new Connect card with your preferred first name on it:

  • First, complete the class roster/grade list change in Infobear as shown above.
  • Go to the Parking Services and Connect Card Office in Room 001, Hunt Hall (ground floor). If you are a continuing student, bring your old Connect Card. If you are a new student who has not yet been issued a Connect Card, bring a driver’s license or passport.
  • Tell the Connect Card Office you have changed your first name through Infobear and want a new ID card showing your new first name. They will look you up and verify the change of first name. They will issue you a new Connect Card reflecting the change in your first name.
  • If you already have a Connect Card, you will be required to turn it in. There is no fee unless you already have a Connect Card but do not turn it in.

To change your preferred name in Blackboard:

  • Log into Blackboard
  • On the welcome page under the Tools section, click the Personal Information link
  • Click the Edit Personal Information link Update your information, then click the Submit button at the bottom of the page.

To change your preferred name in Moodle:

  • Log into Moodle In the top right of the page your name will appear as a link. Click this.
  • Click the Edit Profile tab
  • Update your information, then click the Update Profile button at the bottom of the page.
To change your display name for your student email:

  • Log on to Live@edu and click on the Profile menu in the upper right-hand corner
  • Click the Details sub-menu, and click Edit
  • Change your first name as desired, and then click Save.

To change how your name is listed in the email Global Address Book (this is not the same as the directory)

  • Call IT at (508) 531-2555 or email itsupport@bridgew.edu to submit a ticket
  • State that you would like to have your preferred name displayed in the Global Address Book (it is important to use this language)
  • The IT ticket will be completed within 24 hours

 

For this year, these are the only changes that can be made to your first name in university systems, so all other university records will always show your legal name.

If you change your first name, some unchanged records may need to be explained. For example, if you go to your academic advisor under your new first name and s/he pulls up your degree audit, it will show your legal name. So in those instances, please be ready to clarify the name change if a question is raised. Faculty are being informed of this.

Bridgewater is pleased to offer these new services to students who wish to be known on class rosters and grade lists, ID cards, Blackboard/Moodle, and student e-mail by a preferred first name.

Last Modified: November 4, 2011